Understanding the Role of Retina Specialist in Eye Health Management
The retina, an essential part of the eye, converts light into electrical signals, playing a crucial role in vision.
Retina specialists are highly trained ophthalmologists dedicated to diagnosing and treating retinal diseases.
In this blog, we will learn about the role of retina specialists, unveiling the conditions they treat, the procedures they perform, and why they’re vital for maintaining healthy vision.
What is a Retina Specialist?
A retina specialist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and conditions impacting the retina and the vitreous body of the eye.
The retina, located at the back of the eye, is a light-sensitive tissue that captures images and sends them to the brain via the optic nerve.
What Conditions Do Retina Specialists Treat?
Common conditions and diseases that retina specialists treat include:
Retinal vein occlusion
Floaters
Retinal tears
When to See a Retina Specialist?
Typically, a visit to a retina specialist occurs following a referral from a regular eye doctor after a thorough eye examination.
Reasons to see a retinal eye doctor include:
- Your eye doctor believes that a retinal condition you have would benefit from the expertise of a retina specialist for optimal management.
- Your eye doctor has detected and identified something unusual in your retina and wants to seek an expert second opinion regarding diagnosis or treatment options.
- Your eye doctor suspects you have a medical eye emergency, like a detached retina that needs immediate surgery by a retinal detachment doctor.
What to Expect During a Visit With a Retina Specialist?
Your appointment with a retina specialist may extend beyond the typical medical visit, lasting approximately two to three hours.
During your initial visit, you’ll be asked about your complete medical history and any medications you may be taking.
Following this, your eyes will be dilated to facilitate a thorough examination of the retina. The specialist will closely inspect the back of your eye for any issues, possibly conducting additional tests and capturing images to monitor any existing conditions. Treatments such as eye injections may also be administered during this session.
Since pupil dilation persists for several hours, it’s advisable to have a companion accompany you to your appointment and drive you home afterward.
What Tests Do Retina Specialists Use for Diagnosis?
Wide Field Retinal Imaging
Provides a comprehensive view of the retina, aiding in detecting and monitoring retinal diseases.
OCTA-OCT Angiography
Non-invasively captures high-resolution images of retinal blood flow, which is crucial for evaluating vascular diseases.
Optical Coherence Tomography
Produces detailed cross-sectional images of the retina, assisting in diagnosing and managing various eye conditions.
Pachymetry
Measures corneal thickness, essential for assessing conditions like glaucoma and corneal diseases.
Multicolor Imaging
Utilizes multiple wavelengths of light to capture detailed images of the retina.
Intravenous Fluorescein Angiography (IVFA/FFA)
Involves injecting a fluorescent dye to visualize retinal blood vessels and identify abnormalities.
Intravenous Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICGA)
Highlights deeper retinal layers and choroidal blood vessels, aiding in diagnosing certain eye diseases
Ultrasonography B Scan
Uses sound waves to create images of eye structures, which helps evaluate conditions obscured by opacity.
Optical Biometry
Measures the length of the eye, aiding in calculating intraocular lens power for cataract surgery.
Electrophysiological Studies
Assess the function of the retina and optic nerve, which is helpful in diagnosing retinal and optic nerve disorders.
Consult Dr Madhava Rao for Retinal Care in Abu Dhabi
Retina specialist near you, like Dr. Madhava Rao, is instrumental in safeguarding your eye health and ensuring optimal vision. With his specialized skills and dedication, he diagnoses, treats, and manages various retinal conditions effectively.
Dr. Madhava, a highly experienced surgical retina specialist in Abu Dhabi with 24+ years of service and an impressive record of 14,000+ successful surgeries, stands as a beacon of excellence in retinal care.
Schedule an appointment today.
