The Retina Service represents the major consultative facility at University of Mississippi Medical Center for diseases of the retina and vitreous. Our department chair and retinal specialist, Dr. CJ Chen, provides services such as fluorescein angiography, ultrasonography, laser treatment (including photodynamic therapy, transpupillary thermotherapy) and follow-up to retina patients. The Electroretinography provides evaluation of the eye by electroretinogram ("ERG") testing, which provides a physiological measure of retinal function after light flash stimulation of the retina. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is also used to improve diagnosis and treatment of entities such as diabetic retinopathy and age related macular degeneration.
Dr. Chen normally sees his patients on the third floor of the Addie Mcbryde building at the University Medical Center. For the convenience of our patients, he also sees patients at several satellite eye clinics around the state each month. Dr. Chen sees patients on the second Wednesday of each month in our satellite Hattiesburg Eye Clinic (phone # 601-268-5910 or toll free at 800-624-8254). On the third Wednesday of each month he goes to Meridian Eye Clinic (601-485-2368 or toll free 800-247-6654). On the fourth Wednesday of every other month he goes to Natchez Eye Clinic (601-445-5884 or toll free 800-327-3214).
What are the retina and vitreous?
Retina is a tissue that covers inside the eye –wall and is an extension of the brain. This tissue when stimulated by light transmits the information to the brain where it is seen as an image. Vitreous has a consistency of ”gel” that fills the eye cavity.
Vitreo-Retinal Diseases
What are vitreo-retinal diseases?
What is diabetic retinopathy?
What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?
How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?
Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented?
What are the current treatment options for a person with diabetic retinopathy?
What research is currently being conducted on diabetic retinopathy?
What is age-related macular degeneration?
What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?
How is macular degeneration diagnosed?
What are the current treatment options for macular degeneration?
Can wet macular degeneration be prevented?
What is a macular hole?
How is a macular hole diagnosed?
What are the treatment options for
a patient with a macular hole?
What are retinal detachments and tears?
What are the symptoms of retinal
detachments?
What is the treatment for retinal
detachments and tears?
Who is the University Medical Center’s vitreo-retinal specialist?
What are vitreo-retinal diseases?
A large variety of conditions can affect the vitreous and retina that lie on the back part of the eye that is not readily visible, such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachments or tears, macular holes, retinopathy of prematurity, retinoblastoma, uveitis, eye cancer, flashes and floaters and retinitis pigmentosa.
A person with diabetes is at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic
retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in young and middle-aged adults
today. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater their chance of developing
diabetic retinopathy. There are two types of diabetic retinopathy:
non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR)
proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)
NPDRis an early stage of diabetic retinopathy that can lead to swelling (diabetic
macular edema) and the formation of deposits known as exudates. Many people
with diabetes develop mild NPDR often without any visual symptoms.
PDR is more severe form of retinopathy. These patients are at risk of loosing vision due to bleeding. Also retinal detachment can occur as a complication.
What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?
Generally most patients are asymptomatic. Patients may have PDR and still
have normal vision; therefore, it is important that a dilated eye examination
be performed by an ophthalmologist. Other symptoms might be floaters
or loss
of vision.
How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?
Diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed during dilated eye examination. Further studies such as fluorescein angiography maybe needed.Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented?
Good blood glucose control and blood pressure control will delay diabetic retinopathy.What are the current treatment options for a person with diabetic retinopathy?
Depends on the severity of retinopathy, the following are options, laser therapy, steroid injection inside the eye or vitrectomy.
What research is currently being conducted on diabetic retinopathy?
LY333531, a protein Kinase C-beta inhibitor (PKC-beta inhibitor) developed
by Eli Lilly and Company, is a promising new medication for preventing the
progression of diabetic retinopathy. Currently patients are being recruited
at our institution to evaluate long-term benefits.
What is age-related macular degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal, irreversible
blindness among people 50 years of age and older.
Dry macular degeneration (atrophic AMD) is the most common form of macular
degeneration and can progress to cause severe central vision loss. This disease
progresses slowly and most people usually maintain some central vision in at
least one eye. The condition always starts as "dry" AMD. "Dry" AMD
refers to the slow degenerative process that occurs without any formation of
abnormal blood vessels.
The recent Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) demonstrated that the progression
of "dry" AMD could be slowed with vitamin supplementation. This study
demonstrated the benefits of taking Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta carotene, and
zinc along with copper. Several vitamin preparations containing the appropriate
amounts of these vitamins are currently available and we encourage patients
with AMD to discuss these various vitamin preparations with their eye care
specialist.
"
Wet" macular degeneration (exudative or neovascular AMD) is caused by
blood vessels growing under the retina in the macula. "Wet" AMD always
arises from pre-existing "dry" AMD. These blood vessels leak fluid,
protein, lipid and blood. Eventually, if untreated scar tissue forms under
the macula and central vision is destroyed. Current treatments approved for "wet" macular
degeneration include thermal laser therapy and photodynamic therapy with Visudyne®.
What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?
There is no pain associated with dry or wet AMD. The most common symptom of dry AMD is slightly blurred or fuzzy vision requiring greater illumination to see greater details. Also, an inability to recognize faces at a distance may develop.
Symptoms of wet AMD may be that straight lines, such as sentences on a page, appear wavy; rapid loss of central vision; and a blurred or blind spot in the center of vision.
How is macular degeneration diagnosed?
A thorough eye exam by an ophthalmologist or retinal specialist will determine the presence of macular degeneration. Fluorescein angiography may be needed to determine presence of abnormal vessels (Wet AMD).
What are the current treatment options for macular degeneration?
Currently, treatments for macular degeneration are rapidly advancing and changing approximately every three months. Laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, transpupillary thermotherapy are examples.
Can wet macular degeneration be prevented?
Currently at the University of Mississippi Medical Center we are conducting a study that consists of injecting a drug around the eye (Anecortave) to try to prevent wet form of the disease if one eye has been affected by the wet form. The patients can contact our offices for screening and determination of their eligibility.
Macular hole can cause blurred vision, the loss of central vision can occur
due to loss of tissue in this are.
How is a macular hole diagnosed?
Macular hole is diagnosed during complete eye exam including a dilated retina exam. Optical coherence tomography aids the retina specialist in determining the extent of macular hole.
What are the treatment options for a patient with a macular hole?
Currently vitrectomy with gas injection is the treatment of macular hole with 90% success rate. Patient maybe asked to maintain face-down positioning or upright position to let the gas bubble close the macular hole.
What are retinal detachments and retinal tears?
Retinal tear is a rip in the retinal tissue, if fluid gets behind the retinal
tissue it will detach or separate the retinal tissue from the eye wall. This
will lead to loss of vision and blindness if left untreated.
What are the symptoms of retinal detachments?
Flashes of light, floaters and loss of vision in form of dark curtain are symptoms of retinal detachment and tears.
What is the treatment for retinal detachments and tears?
Retinal tears without detachment can be treated with laser. Retinal detachment
can be treated with pneumatic retinopexy, a procedure performed in the office,
or surgery using a band (Scleral buckle) around the eye or vitrectomy. The
choice of treatment depends on the severity and type of detachment.
Who is the UMC vitreo-retinal specialist?
Dr CJ Chen