Retinal diseases

The tiny blood vessels in the back of your eye weaken and may leak or bleed. This can cause cloudy vision. It affects people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Without treatment some people may suffer permanent vision loss.

The gel-like fluid inside your eye can shrink with age and pull on your retina, which causes tears. These tears can lead to sudden vision changes, such as flashing lights or floaters. Eye injuries can also cause retinal tears. Without treatment a retinal detachment and vision loss can occur.

Fluid passes through a tear and lifts the retina away from the back of your eye. This cuts off the retina’s blood supply and impacts how it functions. You may notice dark spots, flashing lights and floaters. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency.

A blood clot blocks blood flow out of your eye. This is more common if you have diabetes or glaucoma. Without treatment many vision-threatening conditions can occur such as swelling or glaucoma.

Cells can grow in the wrong place on the centre of your retina. They form a membrane that looks like cellophane. This can distort your vision over time.

Genetic conditions can affect how your retina works and may cause vision loss. Examples include retinitis pigmentosa, cone degeneration and macular dystrophy.

This checks how well you can see. You look at a grid of lines to see if any look faded, broken or distorted.

Your doctor uses drops to widen your pupils. Then, they shine a bright light to check your retina for damage.

This is an imaging test that uses light waves to create cross-section pictures of your retina. It can show its thickness and if fluid has leaked behind it.

Your doctor injects a special dye called fluorescein into a vein in your arm. As the dye passes through the blood vessels of your eye, your doctor will take photographs. The images can reveal abnormal blood vessels or damage to your retina.

This test uses a special camera to take detailed pictures of the fundus. The fundus is the back inner wall of your eye.

This test uses sound waves to create a picture of your retina and other structures in your eye. A small ultrasound machine is either placed on your eyelid or the surface of your eye. You will get numbing eye drops to make you more comfortable.

This can check if you have an inherited condition that affects your retina. 

We will use numbing eye drops first and then inject medication into your eye with a thin needle.

These medicines reduce swelling in your eyes. 

A laser targets damaged parts of your retina. It can create scarring that seals leaking blood vessels and destroys abnormal ones. It can also strengthen your retina around a tear.

We use a freezing probe to create scar tissue around a tear to prevent it from worsening.

We inject a gas bubble into your eye during surgery. It closes a tear by pushing the retina back against the wall of your eye. The gas bubble gradually exits your eye as you heal. This is typically followed with a laser treatment or cryotherapy.

This surgical procedure drains the gel-like fluid (vitreous) from your eye. We will refill your eye with air, gas or liquid to keep your retina in place. Over time your eye’s natural liquid will replace it.

We will place a flexible band inside your eye during surgery. It relieves tension on your retina. The band stays in your eye permanently.

We insert electronic devices into your eyes. They might give you back some sight if you have severe retinal degeneration.

Our clinical dietitians work with healthcare teams. They give individual practical nutrition advice and education to patients and residents. They will also involve your family in your nutritional health.

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We offer interpretation services 24-hours-a-day. Please ask your care team to place a request if you need an interpreter. You can also ask for a sign language interpreter.

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Pharmacists at Providence:

• Assist those staying in our two hospitals (inpatients) and those visiting our many clinics (outpatients).
• Work with your healthcare team.
• Use their knowledge to recommend the best drug for your condition.
• Watch for possible negative reactions to medications.
• Aim to find the right balance between safety and effectiveness.

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Our psychology services can provide emotional support. These services may help our patients cope with their condition and its treatment.

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Our social work team helps patients and their families. They provide emotional support and can suggest connections to helpful resources and services. This team can also assist in planning for the future and advocate for patients' needs. They help with practical concerns like finances and social support.

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We offer pastoral care services to support you and your loved ones. Our professional staff, including chaplains from different faiths, are here to accompany you. We provide counseling, and create spaces for reflection, prayer and meditation.

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We strive to offer you the best and most compassionate care possible. If we succeed, please let us know. If we fall short of our goal of “How you want to be treated”, please also let us know.

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