Hello, this is Goyang Shinsegae Eye Clinic. Macular degeneration is one of the leading retinal diseases that can cause vision loss in older adults. Wet macular degeneration, in particular, can lead to rapid vision deterioration. Early detection and timely management are therefore essential. However, many patients feel anxious when they hear that they may need…
Hello,this is Goyang Shinsegae Eye Clinic. Eye diseases can often develop without causing noticeable pain. The retina, in particular, does not have pain receptors, which means that retinal problems may occur without any pain or discomfort. For this reason, some patients may not seek medical attention until they begin to notice changes in their vision, by which time the condition may already have progressed to a stage requiring treatment. Retinal detachment is one of the eye conditions for which timely diagnosis and treatment are especially important. If the detached area expands and reaches the macula, which is responsible for central vision, significant vision loss may occur. Therefore, if you suddenly notice an increase in floaters, repeated flashes of light known as photopsia, or a dark shadow or curtain-like obstruction in part of your visual field, it is important to have your eyes examined promptly at an ophthalmology clinic in Paju. 1. What Is the Role of the Retina? The retina is a very thin layer of nerve tissue located at the innermost part of the eye. It contains photoreceptor cells that detect light and convert incoming visual information into electrical signals, which are then transmitted to the brain through the optic nerve. In simple terms, the retina functions in a way similar to the film or image sensor in a camera. For the retina to function normally, it must remain closely attached to the underlying retinal pigment epithelium. However, when a retinal tear develops and liquefied vitreous fluid enters beneath the retina, the neurosensory retina may separate from the retinal pigment epithelium. This condition is known as retinal detachment. 2. Early Symptoms ① Sudden Increase in Floaters Floaters are visual disturbances that appear as black dots, threads, cobwebs, or other small objects drifting across the field of vision. Floaters can also commonly occur due to age-related changes in the vitreous. However, a sudden increase in floaters may require further evaluation. ② Flashes of Light, or Photopsia Photopsia refers to seeing flashes, sparks, or lightning-like lights, often in the peripheral vision, even when no actual light source is present. This can occur when the vitreous pulls on or stimulates the retina. ③ A Curtain-Like Shadow in the Visual Field Part of the visual field may appear to be covered by a dark shadow or curtain. As the retinal detachment progresses, the area of visual field loss may also increase. If the detachment reaches the macula, central vision may also become impaired. ④ Sudden Loss of Vision If the retinal detachment progresses to involve the macula, central vision may become blurred or visual acuity may decrease significantly. Rather than assuming that these changes are simply caused by eye fatigue, it is important to have the condition of the eye properly evaluated. 3. How Is Retinal Detachment Diagnosed? Not all retinal detachments appear in the same form. In some cases, a retinal tear may be present without an actual detachment. In other cases, the detachment may be limited to the peripheral retina or may have already extended to involve the macula. Therefore, during an ophthalmic examination, several factors must be evaluated comprehensively, including: ✔ the location and number of retinal tears,✔ the extent of the retinal detachment,✔ …
Hello, this is Goyang Shinsegae Eye Clinic. Many parents become concerned when they notice their child’s vision gradually worsening. They may wonder whether their child should begin wearing glasses or consider orthokeratology lenses, commonly known as Ortho-K or Dream Lenses. We frequently receive questions such as: “When is the best time to start Ortho-K lenses?”“Is…
Hello, this is Goyang Shinsegae Eye Clinic. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes but are not experiencing any noticeable eye problems, it can be easy to postpone an eye examination. You may assume that your eyes are healthy because your vision remains clear and you have no difficulty with daily activities. However, diabetic retinopathy…
Hello,this is Goyang Shinsegae Eye Clinic. Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires ongoing blood sugar management. However, just as important as controlling blood glucose levels is detecting complications at an early stage. Among these complications, diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common microvascular complications that can occur in people with diabetes. Even when vision still feels normal, damage to the small blood vessels in the retina may continue to progress. In particular, if the appropriate timing for treatment is missed, the condition may lead to diabetic macular edema, vitreous hemorrhage, and significant vision loss. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to undergo regular ophthalmologic examinations at the recommended intervals even when you do not have noticeable symptoms. Based on the examination findings and the stage of the disease, an appropriate treatment plan can then be established. 1. What Is Diabetic Retinopathy? Diabetic retinopathy is a condition in which prolonged high blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels that supply the retina. The retina is the tissue located at the back of the eye that receives incoming light and transmits visual information to the brain. When these small blood vessels become damaged, blood or fluid may leak into the surrounding retinal tissue. Blood flow through some vessels may also become impaired, leading to various retinal abnormalities. One important concern is that diabetic retinopathy often causes no obvious symptoms in its early stages. As the condition progresses, vision may become blurred, objects may appear distorted, or visual acuity may decrease. If diabetic macular edema develops in the macula, which is responsible for central vision, patients may experience difficulty reading or seeing fine details clearly. 2. How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosed? 1) Fundus Photography Fundus photography is used to capture images of the retina located at the back of the eye. It can help identify retinal bleeding, exudates, and other abnormalities. The images may also be compared with previous examinations to monitor changes over time. 2) Fluorescein Angiography During fluorescein angiography, a fluorescent dye is injected into a vein and a series of photographs is taken as the dye circulates through the retinal blood vessels. This examination can help identify areas of vascular leakage, blocked blood vessels, and abnormal new blood vessel formation that may be difficult to detect through a routine fundus examination alone. 3) Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Optical coherence tomography, or OCT, provides high-resolution cross-sectional images of the retina. It is particularly useful for determining whether swelling is present in the macula and evaluating the extent of macular edema. OCT can also be used to compare changes in the macula before and after treatment. 3. When Should Eye Examinations Begin? The time when symptoms first become noticeable does not necessarily correspond to the time when retinal damage actually begins. For this reason, regular eye examinations are important even when no particular visual discomfort is present. The recommended timing of examinations may vary depending on the type of diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes In people with type 2 diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels may have been present for some time before the condition is officially diagnosed. As a result, retinal changes may already be present at the time diabetes is first detected. Therefore, people with type 2 diabetes are generally advised to undergo an ophthalmologic examination from the time of diagnosis. Type 1 Diabetes For people with type 1 diabetes, the first comprehensive eye examination is generally recommended within five years after the onset of diabetes. Afterward, the interval between examinations is determined according to factors such as the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy and the level of blood sugar control. If diabetic retinopathy or macular edema has already been identified, more frequent examinations may be necessary. 4.…
Hello,This is Goyang Shinsegae Eye Clinic. As we age, we may notice changes in vision, such as cloudy or blurred sight and increased sensitivity to glare in bright environments. Although these symptoms are often regarded as a natural part of aging, they may also be associated with changes in the eye’s natural lens. Many people…
Hello,This is Goyang Shinsegae Eye Clinic. Many people considering vision correction surgery ask: “Can I undergo LASEK if I have astigmatism?” Although LASEK is often thought of as a procedure that corrects only myopia, having astigmatism does not necessarily mean that surgery is not an option. However, suitability cannot be determined based solely on the…
Hello, this is Goyang Shinsegae Eye Clinic. Tears are a natural physiological response that helps protect the eyes. However, if tears frequently well up or run down your cheeks even without emotional changes or external irritation, it may be necessary to look beyond a simple temporary reaction and check whether there is a problem with…
Hello, this is Goyang Shinsegae Eye Clinic. Retinal detachment cases tend to increase during the colder months. If you suddenly notice floaters—such as black dots, threads, or specks drifting across your vision—or flashes of light, it is important not to dismiss them as normal signs of aging and to undergo a thorough eye examination. Retinal…
Hello, this is Goyang Shinsegae Eye Clinic. If your child frequently squints when looking at the board or moves closer to the television or other screens, it may be important to have their vision checked rather than dismissing these behaviors as mere habits. Myopia is a refractive error in which incoming light focuses in front…