Retina Disease

If you have a retina disease, it’s crucial to schedule routine eye exams. At Retina Consultants of Muncie in Muncie, Indiana, vitreoretinal ophthalmologist Jeffrey Rapkin, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating retina disease. Dr. Rapkin is one of the only providers in the area who offers laser treatment and other minimally invasive procedures. Call Retina Consultants of Muncie today to request a retina disease consultation or book your appointment online. 

What is retina disease?

Retina disease is an umbrella term for a group of disorders that affect your retina –– a piece of light-sensitive nerve tissue at the back of your eye responsible for receiving and organizing visual information.

If your retina doesn’t work as it should, it stops sending electrical information to your brain for processing, causing low vision and, ultimately, blindness.

Are there different types of retina disease?

At Retina Consultants of Muncie, Dr. Rapkin treats various types of retinal disease, including:

• Retinal tears
• Retinal detachment
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Macular degeneration
• Retinitis pigmentosa (a genetic disease)
• Macular holes

Dr. Rapkin treats epiretinal membranes as well. This scar-like tissue forms on top of your retina, causing blurred or distorted vision.

How is retina disease diagnosed?

Dr. Rapkin reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a comprehensive eye exam. Then, he orders several tests to determine the location and severity of the disease, including:

Amsler grid test

An Amsler grid is a chart with lines and a dot in the center. If the grid appears wavy, broken, or distorted when you look at it, you may have macular degeneration or another underlying retinal issue.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

This diagnostic imaging procedure takes cross-sectional photos of your eyes, including your retina and macula. It’s a quick and convenient way to diagnose macular holes, macular swelling, and epiretinal membranes.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to view your retina and the other structures at the back of your eye. This type of imaging is particularly beneficial for diagnosing and treating eye tumors.

After confirming your diagnosis, Dr. Rapkin develops a personalized treatment plan.

How is retina disease treated?

Treatment of retina disease depends on the type and severity of your symptoms. The goal is to stop or slow its progression and improve or restore your vision. Dr. Rapkin may recommend:

• Laser surgery to repair a retinal tear or hole
• Laser treatment to shrink abnormal blood vessels
• Cryopexy (freezing) to close a retinal tear
• Injecting air or gas into your eye
• Removing and replacing the fluid (vitreous) in your eye
• Injecting medicine into your eye

If you have severe vision loss, Dr. Rapkin may suggest surgery to implant a retinal prosthesis. A retinal prosthesis is a tiny electrode that picks up and relays visual information to your brain.

Call Retina Consultants of Muncie today to receive treatment for retina disease, or book your appointment online.