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Retina Eye Surgery

To effectively navigate through retina eye surgery, patients may find themselves learning a whole new vocabulary. But it's very important to understand what eye care professionals are talking about when they are making a diagnosis and suggesting treatment options. Fortunately, most medical professionals know that patients want to be well-informed. Brochures and pamphlets may be available that provide both general information about the eye's structure and specific information on the particular diagnosis. Additionally, a great deal of information can be found online. However, medical consumers need to be careful when it comes to trusting online sites. Some of the medical information can be very good and helpful. But some sites may not be very trustworthy. One way to use the internet for research is to look at multiple sites and use the content as a guide for preparing a list of questions for one's personal eye care professional. The professional's expertise can help the medical consumer separate the chaff from the wheat. Of course, it's perfectly acceptable to seek a second opinion before undergoing retina eye surgery. This can help reassure the prospective patient that the diagnosis is correct and the suggested treatment is necessary.

The medical consumer should feel comfortable that her surgeon has the necessary expertise and experience to perform whatever procedures are necessary to fix or repair the problem. Surgical specialists often begin their medical training in ophthalmology, the study of eyes and its associated diseases. They then continue their training by specializing in such niche fields as macular degeneration or retinal detachment. Those are two examples of the new vocabulary that patients may need to understand before undergoing retina eye surgery. The retina is a thin membrane covering the eyeball that sends light rays to the brain. The brain processes these rays and, voila!, we see images. The gel-like substance inside the eyeball is called vitreous. If either the retinal membrane or the vitreous is adversely affected, a surgical procedure may be needed to correct the problem. For example, as part of the aging process, teeny-tiny bits of the vitreous gel may break loose and cause shadows to appear on the retina. These are commonly known as floaters. They don't really cause harm, but are annoying. If the person also has diabetes, the condition may be diagnosed as diabetic retinopathy and may be accompanied by blurred vision.

Another reason retina eye surgery may be needed is to treat macular degeneration. The macula is the part of the retina that allows people to see details. For example, the macula is what enables people to see facial distinctions and even distinguish different letter shapes while reading. Again, as a natural part of aging, the macula can degenerate which results in distorted vision. Many eye care professionals recommend that individuals who are fifty or older get an annual examination that includes testing for macular degeneration. New treatments include periodic injections that can slow the loss of vision and may, perhaps, restore some lost vision. Another common ailment is retinal detachment. Here again, this can occur because of aging, but it may also occur because of trauma or injury. The retina separates from the vitreous gel. Depending on the location of the separation and the severity of the condition, the medical professional may recommend one of several different procedures. One is known as pneumatic retinopexy and involves the use of a small gas bubble that floats the eyeball back into position. In a vitrectomy, the vitreous gel is removed and may be replaced for a time with either silicone oil or a saline solution. A third type of retina eye surgery uses a scleral buckle, or silicone band, to hold the eyeball in place. Cryotherapy uses nitrous oxide to freeze the detached parts together again.

These terms describe complex procedures that involve an important part of the body. The recovery may take weeks or months depending on the severity of the condition and the complexity of the procedure. This is why it's so important for prospective patients to learn as much as possible about their condition and the available treatment options. King Solomon, noted as the wisest person who ever lived, wrote: "For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it" (Ecclesiastes 7:12). With knowledge and wisdom, the patient who is facing retina eye surgery can ask tough questions and make informed choices. There are few, if any, surgical procedures that require more precision than those involving a person's eyes.

The gift of sight, even imperfect sight, is such a blessing. But sometimes an injury or trauma causes harm to that gift. The aging process affects the ability to focus on details. Other health concerns, such as diabetes, can affect one's vision. For many people, retina eye surgery is a viable solution for repairing damage. Surgical specialists use amazing procedures with advanced tools and technologies to restore vision or, at least, to slow the loss of vision. Though recovery may take awhile and corrective lenses may be needed after the healing process is complete, being able to see even a little is better than not being able to see at all. Great care should be taken when seeking a specialist to find someone who is knowledgeable, respected, reputable, and experienced. Information can be found from many sources, but patients have a responsibility to separate the worthwhile info from the worthless trash. Get a second opinion. Ask questions. Understand the condition and the treatment options. Undergoing retina eye surgery isn't on anyone's "things I most want to do in my life" list. But when it's necessary, the prospective patient who is well-informed will make the best decisions.

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