Patient Education

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Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a serious public health concern and a leading cause of vision loss in the US of people 50 and older. It destroys retinal cells in the macula, the part of the eye that provides crisp, central vision. It is estimated to be about...

Epiretinal Membrane (Macular Pucker)

Epiretinal Membrane (Macular Pucker)

The macula is a portion of the retina responsible for our crisp central vision. The eye’s natural healing response can sometimes cause cells to be deposited on the retina. These cells can gradually settle and form a transparent layer over the macula...

Retinal Detachments

Retinal Detachments

A retinal detachment is a very serious and vision threatening condition. It happens when the photo-sensitive retina separates from the wall of the eye. The retina is then left without its blood supply or nourishment and promptly stops working. If not promptly treated,...

Central Serous Retinopathy

Central Serous Retinopathy

Blurred vision in adults may be caused by Choroidal Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSR). Central Serous is a condition where fluid accumulates in the layer underneath the retina. This fluid causes the retina to detach and results in blurred central vision. Central Serous...

Flashes and Floaters

Flashes and Floaters

Flashes and floaters are common eye symptoms. In most cases, they do not cause any serious eye issues. Both floaters and flashes can be common as we age and the vitreous gel changes. There are also times when it can be a sign of a retinal issues such as a posterior...

Retinal Vein Occlusions

Retinal Vein Occlusions

The retina is made up of cells that capture the light and send messages to the brain and blood vessels that give nourishment to the cells to keep them healthy. If the veins get clogged, they can cause a backup of fluid it is called an occlusion and could cause a...

Choroidal Melanoma

Choroidal Melanoma

Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes, the pigment producing cells in the body and can occur many places including on the skin, in the digestive tract, in the spinal cord, and in the eye. Ocular (uveal) melanoma, or melanoma of the eye, is the most...

Inherited Retinal Disease

Inherited Retinal Disease

Inherited retinal diseases (also called inherited retinal dystrophies, or IRDs) are a group of rare eye disorders caused by an inherited gene mutation and can result in vision loss or blindness. It is however, a common cause of blindness in children and adults of...

Uveitis and Iritis

Uveitis and Iritis

Uveitis is inflammation, redness, and/or swelling of the middle layer of the eyeball, that left untreated can cause damage to eye tissues. The uvea is a blood vessel network that is comprised of three main areas including the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. These...

Choroidal Nevus

Choroidal Nevus

A choroidal nevus (plural nevi) is a flat, benign, colored spot that appears on the inside of the eye, similar to freckles or moles on the skin. A choroidal nevus refers specifically to a pigmented mark that forms in the choroid, a layer behind the retina. It is...

Macular Hole – Vitrectomy

Macular Hole – Vitrectomy

A macular hole is a break in the retina located in the sharpest part of your vision.  This area is called the macula. A macular hole can be formed from trauma, high nearsightedness, diabetes, macular pucker, Best’s disease, or most commonly, age. Most of the eye is...

Vitrectomy Surgery

Vitrectomy Surgery

Vitrectomy surgery is an outpatient surgery to correct problems with the retina and vitreous. A vitrectomy surgery removes the gel-like vitreous that fills the eye so that the surgeon can gain better access to the retina for repair.  Once surgery is complete,...

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy

High blood glucose from diabetes causes damage to the body’s vessel walls over time. Some of the vessels that can be damaged include the blood vessels in your eyes. When you start to have complications inside the eyes due to diabetes it’s...

Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Posterior Vitreous Detachment

When we are born we have a gel-like substance called vitreous that fills the eye and is firmly attached to the back wall of the eye, the retina. As we age the vitreous in our eyes begins to liquefy and shrink. This is a normal aging process that occurs inside the eye....

Vitreous Hemorrhage

Vitreous Hemorrhage

The main chamber of the eyeball is called the vitreous cavity and is normally filled with a clear jelly called vitreous. This clear vitreous allows light to travel through to the back wall of the eye and the retina where it can be interpreted as images. Vitreous...

Additional Educational Resources

Portage

Now seeing patients at:
1906 W. Milham Ave
Portage, MI 49024

Big Rapids