THE RETINA INSTITUTE

Retinal eye disorders range from the common such as diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration, to rarer disorders such as macular dystrophies, vasculitis, and uveitis.  This web page will cover only the more common disorders, and will address them in a topical way that does not substitute for examination and consultation with Dr. Ebrahim, or other qualified doctors.  Nothing on this website should be taken to constitute diagnostic or therapeutic direction by The Retina Institute or Dr. Ebrahim.  For more information on even more eye disorders, please click to www.eyesmart.org.

• Diabetes affects 24 million Americans.  Macular edema is the main cause of vision loss in these patients, and can happen in anyone with diabetes at even the earliest stages.  Severe diabetic retinopathy can cause retinal detachments and total blindness.
• Treatment for diabetic eye disease includes the use of lasers and medicines.  The success rate for preserving vision in diabetic patients is over 95% for those who get early care.
• Unfortunately, anyone with diabetes can develop serious and irreversible loss of vision without regular retinal examinations.  If you have diabetes, you should call for an appointment.
• More in depth analysis can be found in Dr. Ebrahim's chapter on Diabetic Retinopathy in the textbook Clinical Diabetes: Translating Research into Practice.

Click on the icon below to read more about diabetic eye disease.

• Macular degeneration affects over 8 million Americans, and is most prevalent in caucasians over the age of 50.  The wet form of macular degeneration causes more than 90% of the severe vision loss resulting from macular degeneration.
• Treatments for macular degeneration are progressing at an amazing rate, and include the use of lasers, photodynamic therapy, and a growing number of medicines.  We are turning the corner in macular degeneration in terms of being able to successfully treat a majority of patients.
• Close followup is important for those at risk for wet macular degeneration since examination can often reveal disease before symptoms develop.

Click on the icon below to read more about macular degeneration.

• High blood pressure is among the most undertreated and highly prevalent diseases among Americans.  Only 27% of hypertensive patients have their blood pressure under control.
• High blood pressure can result in damage to arteries and veins, and can eventually cause reduced vision from swelling and cessation of blood flow in both the retina and optic nerve.
• Latest studies indicate that patients benefit from greater control of blood pressure than had been thought necessary in past years.  Strict blood pressure control can save vision loss from hypertension.

Click on the icon below to read more about hypertensive eye disease.