Retina Conditions and Treatment

Conditions | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment

The retina and vitreous humor are structures within the eye that make our vision possible. Problems in these areas can be serious and scary, but the experts at MUSC Health's Storm Eye Institute (SEI) provide hope. 

Our team of retina specialists delivers specialized care when you need it most. People across South Carolina come to us for successful treatment of rare and complex retina conditions. 

What is a Retina and Vitreous Humor? 

Your retina is a structure in the back of the eye made of light-sensitive tissue. The tissue sends images to your brain so you can see. The vitreous humor is a clear, gel-like fluid that fills the space between the retina and the lens. This fluid holds the retina in place.

What Are Retina Conditions? 

Conditions affecting the retina and vitreous humor include:

• Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): The macula is a part of the retina that helps you see clearly. AMD occurs when the macula starts breaking down. This is more typical in people age 50 and older. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. Dry AMD is more common and less severe. It can develop into wet AMD. Wet AMD is less common but can cause more severe vision loss than dry AMD. 
• Diabetic Retinopathy: High blood sugar levels from diabetes can cause the retina’s blood vessels to swell. This swelling can damage the retina.
• Flashes: When the vitreous humor rubs against the retina, it causes a brief flash of light in your field of vision.
• Floaters: Sometimes, the gel of the vitreous humor forms clumps. These clumps can drift in your field of vision. Floaters are often harmless but can be bothersome.
• Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD): This common condition occurs when the vitreous humor separates from the retina. It is usually related to aging.
• Retinal Tears and Retinal Detachments:These happen when the retina breaks away from nearby supportive tissue. Retinal tears and detachments are medical emergencies that require immediate care.
• Retinitis Pigmentosa: This rare condition happens when the retina cells break down. Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited condition among families.
• Retinoblastoma: This form of eye cancer happens when abnormal cells grow in the retina. 
• Uveitis: This form of eye inflammation causes redness, pain, and blurred vision.

What Causes Retina Conditions?

Various factors can put you at risk of a retina condition. These include:

• Aging
• Diabetes
• Eye injuries or eye surgeries
• Genetics, or a family history of retina conditions
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Smoking

What Are Symptoms of Retina Conditions?

Staying aware of vision changes is important to your care. There are several signs you may have a retina condition. These symptoms include:

• Blind spots
• Blurred or distorted vision
• Floaters
• Light sensitivity
• Vision loss

Contact us at 843-792-2020 if you experience any of these symptoms. We’ll connect you with our retina specialists to diagnose and treat your condition quickly.

Diagnostic Testing for Retina Conditions

Early diagnosis is the first step in preserving your vision. At MUSC Health SEI, you can access a broad range of advanced tests, some of which are not widely available. These tests ensure an accurate diagnosis so you can quickly get the care you need.

Diagnostic tests available at Storm Eye Institute include:

• Electroretinogram (ERG): This test measures electrical activity in the retina. ERGs help us determine how well the retina is functioning.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): This imaging test uses light waves to examine your retina layer by layer.
• Retinal Angiography: We use wide-angle imaging technology to examine your retina’s complex network of blood vessels. 
• Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to produce images of the vitreous humor. We use ultrasound to check for abnormal substances, like blood, in the vitreous humor.
• Wide-Angle Imaging: We use a special camera to capture wide-angle photos of the back of the eye. These images help us examine the health of eye structures in hard-to-reach areas.

How Does the Storm Eye Institute Treat Retina Conditions at MUSC Health? 

We offer several treatment options for your retina condition. We’ll personalize your care plan to give you the best possible outcome.

Retina Condition Treatments

Our retina specialists tailor treatment plans to meet your unique medical needs and personal preferences. We take time to explain your options, including nonsurgical treatments and laser therapy.

Your treatment may include:

• Anti-Inflammatory Medication: We prescribe eye drops or oral medications to relieve swelling from conditions like uveitis.
• Injectable Medications: We prescribe the latest FDA-approved medications, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs. We inject these medications directly into the vitreous humor to slow macular degeneration.
• Surgical Repair: We use the latest equipment to access hard-to-reach areas of the retina. We have the skills needed to make complex repairs, such as removing scar tissue and fixing holes.

Laser Treatments for Retina Conditions

Laser treatments accurately target conditions in the retina and vitreous humor. This can help preserve your eyesight. 

Laser treatments for retina and vitreous humor conditions include:

• Photocoagulation: We use strong laser beams to seal abnormal blood vessels. This treatment can also slow the development of abnormal vessels in the retina. 
• Photodynamic Therapy: This treatment uses low-power (cold) laser beams to seal leaking blood vessels. We also use photodynamic therapy to treat eye cancer.  Learn more about eye cancer.

Why Choose the Storm Eye Institute to Treat Your Retina Conditions?

At the Storm Eye Institute, we aim to provide holistic care. You’ll find the specialized expertise and treatments you need – all in one place.

Highlights of our program include:

• Complete Eye Cancer Care: Our retina specialists have special training to treat tumors in and near the retina. Our expertise means you can receive an accurate diagnosis and treatments under one roof. Find out more about eye cancer.
• Highly Skilled Team: Our retina specialists have several years of additional specialized training (fellowships) in retina and vitreous humor diseases. This level of training is why eye experts and patients across South Carolina trust our program.
• The Latest Treatments: We are one of the few programs in the Lowcountry with access to the latest surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Our therapies help us treat complex problems with precision.
• Specialized Care for Children: We are one of the few programs in South Carolina that use handheld diagnostic imaging devices. These devices help us quickly get to the source of retina problems without putting your child to sleep. Find out more about pediatric ophthalmology.