Degenerative conditions that affect the retina, the part of the eye responsible for forming images, can pose a serious threat to a person’s vision. In Spartanburg, our doctors provides exceptional treatment for retinal conditions such as macular holes and cataracts, among others.

Macular Holes: A macular hole is a small break in the macula which is located in the center of the retina. The macula is the part of the retina responsible for central vision so anything affecting the macula will likely affect visual acuity and quality. Fluid that is inside the eye may leak through the hole, causing blurred and distorted vision. Some macular holes heal themselves, while others require surgery to repair the hole.

Macular holes are described in stages based on how advanced the hole is.

• Stage 1 is a macular cyst. At this stage, the vitreous is pulling on the macula but has not detached yet.
• Stage 2 is a tear at one side of the fovea (the center of the macula) and over time the tear may spread.
• Stage 3 is when the tear has progressed into a complete hole without a vitreal detachment.
• Stage 4 is a full thickness macular hole with a posterior vitreal detachment.

Cataracts: A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens which lies behind the iris and the pupil. A cataract results from the natural clouding of the eye’s lens that is produced by proteins that collect in the lens as a person ages. Over time, the vision of a person with cataracts becomes blurry, and many patients have difficulty reading, seeing at night and distinguishing colors. Although cataracts are unpreventable and irreversible, they are treatable with cataract surgery.

Types of cataracts include:

• A subcapsular cataract occurs at the back of the lens.
• A nuclear cataract forms deep in the central zone (nucleus) of the lens.
• A cortical cataract is characterized by white, wedge-like opacities that start in the periphery of the lens and work their way to the center in a spoke-like fashion. This type of cataract occurs in the lens cortex which is the part of the lens that surrounds the central nucleus.

If you suffer from macular holes, cataracts, or any other retinal condition, contact Palmetto Eye & Laser Center at 864-583-6381 or palmettoeyeandlaser.com to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. An accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment of retinal problems is crucial in preventing vision loss.