Learn More About Cataract Surgery
Are you experiencing night driving problems? Are colors fading? If you are over the age of 50 years old you may be experiencing the onset of cataracts. Our doctors are skilled board certified cataract surgeons located in Cobb, Douglas and Cherokee. Our doctors take great pride in educating patients about their best options for success after cataract surgery. Please feel free to review our website to learn about new premium lens implants.
Learn More About Cataract SurgeryWhat Is LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK eye surgery actually stands for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. LASIK is a refractive eye surgery procedure where a laser reshapes the outer surface of the eye known as the cornea. By changing the shape of the cornea doctors can improve vision.
What Is LASIK Eye SurgeryTake Our LASIK Self Test
If you are seeking LASIK in Atlanta, Georgia we are happy to help you learn about LASIK and your candidacy potential for this eye surgery. Please feel free to take our short LASIK self-evaluation test to get on the path to better vision. After taking this test you will be contacted by Marietta Eye if you meet the pre-requisite requirements. All LASIK candidates will be required to undergo a pre-operative eye exam before candidacy is approved.
Take Our LASIK Self TestTake Our LASIK Self Test
Please feel free to watch our educational video series. Click here to see videos of our patients and doctors for better insight into the eye surgery of your choice.
See Our VideosContact Us
Thank you for visiting the website of Marietta Eye Clinic. We hope that you found our eye care website information useful. If you have additional questions or wish to contact our office please fill out our contact form.
Contact UsMarietta Eye Clinic's Patient Services Include:
Routine eye exams- Pediatric eye care
- Eyeglasses
- Contact lens fitting
- Cataract and lens implant surgery
- Glaucoma management
- Diabetic retinopathy care
- Macular degeneration treatment
- Eye muscle problem management
- LASIK
- Corneal transplants
- Dry eye treatment
- Cosmetic eyelid surgery
- Botox cosmetic treatment
- Latisse eyelash enhancement
- Uveitis management
Languages Spoken:
- English
- Spanish
- Telugu
- Hindi
- Chinese
- Korean
Retina Conditions
Macular degeneration is one of the most common eye diseases treated by the doctors at Marietta Eye Clinic. Macular degeneration is associated with aging. It can destroy sharp central vision and is the leading cause of legal blindness among people over the age of 50 in the western world.
In some individuals, tiny dot-like deposits, known as drusen, slowly accumulate beneath the macula. While these deposits usually do not cause visual loss directly, they indicate that a person is at risk for developing further problems with the macula. Atrophic or thin areas can develop in the macula, which can lead to visual loss in the “dry” form of macular degeneration.
In some patients, abnormal blood vessels may develop under the macula leading to the “wet” form of macular degeneration. If these vessels can be identified at an early stage, it may be possible to seal them with a laser treatment, injection of new medications developed for wet macular degeneration or other treatments. If you notice any new distortion or visual changes, it is critical to contact your eye care provider immediately.
Learn more about Macular Degeneration
Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Management
If you have diabetes mellitus, your body does not use and store sugar properly. High blood-sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina, the back lining of the eye. If you think of the eye analogous to a camera, the retina is like the film in the camera. Therefore, any damage to the retina can adversely affect vision. The damage to retinal blood vessels is referred to as diabetic retinopathy.
Types of Diabetic Retinopathy
There are two types of diabetic retinopathy: nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). NPDR, commonly known as background retinopathy, is an early stage of diabetic retinopathy. Many people with diabetes have mild NPDR, which usually does not affect vision. However, there are two forms of NPDR that can cause vision loss:
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Macular Edema is swelling of the macula, a small area in the center of the retina that allows us to see fine details clearly in the center of our vision. The swelling is caused by fluid leaking from retinal blood vessels. It is the most common cause of visual loss in diabetes. Vision loss may be mild to severe, but even in the worst cases peripheral vision continues to function.
- Macular Ischemia occurs when small blood vessels in the macula close. Central vision blurs because the macula no longer receives sufficient blood supply to work properly.
PDR is present when abnormal new vessels (neovascularization) begin growing on the surface of the retina. PDR may cause more severe vision loss than NPDR because it can affect both central and peripheral vision. Unfortunately, the new, abnormal blood vessels do not resupply the retinal with normal blood flow. The new vessels can bleed and cause scar tissue which can adversely affect retinal function. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy causes visual loss in the following ways:
- Vitreous Hemorrhage: The fragile new vessels may bleed into the vitreous, a clear, gel-like substance that fills the center of the eye. If the vitreous hemorrhage is small, a person might see only a few new dark floaters. A very large vitreous hemorrhage might block out all vision. It may take days, months or even years to resorb the blood, depending on the amount of blood present.
- Traction Retinal Detachment: When PDR is present, scar tissue associated with neovascularization can shrink, wrinkling and pulling the retina from its normal position. Macular wrinkling can cause central visual distortion. More severe vision loss can occur if large areas of the retina are detached, or torn off the back of the eye.
How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?
A Marietta Eye Clinic physician will dilate your eyes and look inside at the retina with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. If diabetic retinopathy is found, he or she may order a special test called a flourescein angiography to find out if you need treatment. In this test, a dye is injected into your arm and photos of your eye are taken to see where the retinal vessels are leaking.
How is diabetic retinopathy treated?
The best treatment is to prevent the development of retinopathy as much as possible. Strict control of your blood sugar will significantly reduce the long-term risk of vision loss from diabetic retinopathy. Other treatments include:
- Laser Surgery. It is often recommended for people with macular edema and PDR. For macular edema, the laser is focused on the swollen, damaged retina near the macula to decrease the fluid leakage. The main goal of treatment is to prevent further loss of vision. It is uncommon for people who have blurred vision from macular edema to recover normal vision, although some may experience partial improvement. Therefore early detection and treatment are essential. For PDR, the laser is focused on all parts of the retina except the macula. This treatment, called panretinal photocoagulation, causes abnormal new vessels to shrink and prevents them from growing in the future. It also decreases the chance that vitreous bleeding or retinal distortion will occur.
- Vitrectomy: In advanced PDR or vitreous hemorrhage that doesn’t clear, your doctor may recommend a vitectomy. During this microsurgical procedure which is performed in the operating room, the blood-filled vitreous is removed and replaced with a clear solution. Vitrectomy often prevents further bleeding by removing neovascularization that caused the bleeding. If the retina is detached, it can be repaired during vitrectomy surgery
Vision loss is largely preventable
If you have diabetes, it is important to know that today, with improved methods of diagnosis and treatment, only a small percentage of people who develop retinopathy have serious vision problems. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is the best protection against loss of vision. You can significantly lower your risk of vision loss by maintaining strict control of your blood sugar and visiting your ophthalmologist regularly.
When to schedule an examination
People with diabetes should schedule examinations at least once a year. More frequent eye exams may be necessary after a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy has been made. Pregnant women with diabetes should schedule an appointment during the first trimester because retinopathy can progress quickly during pregnancy.
Learn more about DIabetic Retinopathy
Flashes and Floaters - Posterior Vitreous Detachments
Flashes of light and floaters in the field of vision occur in healthy people, but may also be a sign of serious problems. If flashes occur suddenly, it may be a sign that the retina is torn. In this case, you should contact your doctor immediately. Floaters, usually due to a posterior vitreous detachment, are caused by particles that are floating in the vitreous gel and cast shadows on the retina. Floaters may naturally appear with increasing age. However, if floaters occur suddenly, it may be a sign that the retina is torn. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience such sudden symptoms.
Retinal Tears and Detachment
Retinal tears and detachment occur when the vitreous, a clear jelly-like substance that fills the eye, pulls from the retina and causes the retina to tear. Liquid that passes through the tear and settles under the retina results in separation of the retina from the back wall of the eye. The condition is termed a retinal detachment. An untreated detached retina usually causes blindness.
You should contact Marietta Eye Clinic doctors as soon as you develop the symptoms of retinal detachment. Symptoms include seeing flashing lights, new floaters, or a gray curtain move across your field of vision. The Retina specialist at Marietta Eye Clinic have expertise in the surgery techniques used to secure a detached or torn retina
Epiretinal Membranes (Macular Puckers)
An epiretinal membrane, commonly called a macular pucker, is a thin film-like covering that can develop over the central retina known as the macula. This area of the retina is responsible for your clear central vision. Epiretinal membranes may lead to blurry or distorted vision. Some epiretinal membranes require vitrectomy surgery with removal of the membrane for improvement of vision. Our Retinal Specialists at Marietta Eye Clinic have extensive experience in all areas of vitreoretinal surgery.
Macular Holes
Macular holes are just that, holes in the macula. The macula is the central portion of the retina that is responsible for seeing fine details clearly. Macular holes involve cellophane-like wrinkling of the macula. If the wrinkling is especially severe, it can stretch the macula and cause a hole to form. Many macular holes are treatable with vitrectomy surgery.
Retinal Vascular Disease
Retinal vascular diseases are common in people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and other factors that cause vascular disease throughout the body, such as increasing age, high cholesterol, smoking, and hypertension. Retinal vascular diseases include retinal arterial macro aneurysm, retinal branch and central artery and vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular ischemic syndrome. In simple terms, these are conditions that can restrict the blood flow throughout your eye structures and lead to vision loss or blindness. As a patient of Marietta Eye Clinic, you will benefit from our doctor’s expertise and from our state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities. Our doctors can help manage your eye condition, and we will work closely with your primary care physician as well.
Cystoid Macular Edema (CME)
Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) is a condition in which the macula develops microscopic swelling, which can blur the central vision. CME most commonly develops following intraocular surgery, but may be associated with a variety of vascular conditions such as diabetic retinopathy or vascular occlusion. Treatments for CME depend on its cause. CME may be treated with medicated eye drops, injected medication, laser treatments and surgery.
Uvetis
Uveitis (you-vee-EYE-tis) is an irritation and swelling of the middle layer of the coats of the eye. This layer is called the uvea. Uveitis can scar the eye or lead to blindness. Another serious illness or condition that needs treatment may be the cause. Uveitis may develop suddenly. You might feel pain in your eye and your eye may become red all over Or you may not have pain, but your vision suddenly becomes blurry. There are also different kinds of uveitis. When the front part of the uvea is swollen or inflamed, it is called "iritis." When the middle layer is inflamed, it is called "cyclitis." An inflammation of the back part of the uvea is called "choroiditis." Eye drops can reduce the swelling in the eye. Corticosteroids and pupil dilators, in particular, will lessen the pain and redness in the eye. If the swelling is severe, your doctor may also give you a shot or oral medicine to take. A thorough eye examination is necessary to diagnose uveitis. Our eye doctors at Marietta Ee Clinic may also order blood tests, skin tests, or x-rays to determine whether you have uveitis or another condition. Since uveitis can be caused by illnesses in other parts of the body, your doctor will want to know about your overall health. He or she may want to consult with your primary care physician or other specialists.
