The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is the pigmented cell layer just outside the neurosensory retina that nourishes retinal visual cells, and is attached to the choroid beneath and the retina above. The 7 functions of the RPE are: 1. light absorption essential 2. epithelial transport 3. spatial buffering of ions. 4. visual cycle. Continue reading “An unusual spot”
Tag Archives: age related blindness
Yellow spots in the eye
Drusen are tiny yellow deposits in a layer of the retina called Bruchs membrane. They are the most common early sign of dry macular degeneration. Drusen are made up of lipids, a type of fatty protein, which may be the result of a failure of the eye to dispose of waste products properly. There are severalContinue reading “Yellow spots in the eye”
When You Have a Cataract
A cataract is a clouding and yellowing of the the lens inside the eye. Symptoms of cataract include: Blurry vision. Faded colors. Glare and halo around lights. Night vision problems. Double vision Many people can have an age-related cataract in their 40s and 50s, but it doesn’t affect vision. After age 60, cataracts often affect vision and requireContinue reading “When You Have a Cataract”
How to Prevent Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness among Americans who are age 65 and older. Here are some steps you can take to prevent vision loss from macular degeneration. Here are steps you can take to prevent or slow the progression of AMD: Eat plenty of dark, leafy green vegetables, such as raw spinach.Continue reading “How to Prevent Macular Degeneration”
When Diabetes Shows Up In Your Eyes
by Dr. Yvonne Alomia Did you know that diabetes can first show up in the eye? I recently saw a young patient who was unaware of his diabetes until he had his first eye examination. Diabetic retinopathy affects those with diabetes andcauses progressive damage to the back of the eye. It can cause permanent visionContinue reading “When Diabetes Shows Up In Your Eyes”
“Can Glasses Help Me?”
Unfortunately, my answer to this patient was “no.” This is wet macular degeneration that I had to send for Avastin treatment by a retinal specialist. There are two basic types of macular degeneration: “wet” and “dry.” Approximately 10-15% of the cases of macular degeneration are the “wet” (exudative) type. In the “wet” type of macularContinue reading ““Can Glasses Help Me?””
Los Alamos Family Eyecare, P.C. 