Retina is a challenging and demanding sub-specialty within the field of Ophthalmology. Bucks-Mont Eye Associates is pleased to announce the addition of Leo Santamarina, MD to our practice, specializing in medical retina. Dr. Santamarina is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the retina, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, vein occlusions and uveitis. We have the latest state-of the-art technology for the most advanced testing and treatment options for the diseases of the Vitreous & Retina.

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is a condition that develops in older people when the central part of the retina, called the macula, is damaged. With advancing ARMD you will begin to lose part, or even all, of your central vision. Fine visual tasks such as reading, or even driving become more difficult, and both your near and far vision can be affected. Your peripheral (side) vision will still be normal. For example, if you imagine that you are looking at a clock with hands, you may see the numbers, but not the hands of the clock.

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. It is usually only seen after years of elevated blood glucose. The glucose slowly leads to the breakdown of the small blood vessels in the body, called capillaries. Patients who have diabetic retinopathy often also have kidney disease and peripheral neuropathy. In fact, sometimes being told that you have diabetic retinopathy can be the tip of the iceberg, since it is only one manifestation of this devastating disease. This is why the doctors at Bucks-Mont Eye communicate their findings to your primary care doctors

The middle of our eye is filled with a clear gel called vitreous, which is attached to the retina. Sometimes, tiny clumps of gel inside the vitreous will cast shadows on the retina, which may cause you to sometimes see small dots, specks, strings or clouds moving through your vision. These are called floaters. As we get older, the vitreous may shrink and pull on the retina. When this happens, you may notice what look like flashing lights or lightning streaks. These are called flashes.

The eye has arteries which bring oxygenated blood into the retina, and veins which take the deoxygenated blood back to the heart. When the blood flow in a retinal vein is blocked, this is called a retinal vein occlusion. Due to the backpressure, the veins leak blood and fluids into the retina, causing swelling (i.e. edema). The blockage can also result in decreased retinal circulation. Sometimes, when there is a severe decrease in the circulation, new leaking blood vessels can form not only in the retina, but within the iris, which is in the front of the eye. This can cause painful, elevated pressure in your eye.

Uveitis is a broad term that encompasses non-infectious inflammations of the eye. It typically occurs when the middle layer of the eyeball (called the uvea) becomes inflamed and leeches inflammatory cells and debris into the other parts of the eye. Uveitis can damage vital eye tissues, including the retina and optic nerve, leading to permanent vision loss. Sometimes it is short lived and lasts only days or weeks, but in other patients it may become a lifelong condition that needs to be managed but cannot be cured.