Blog

Do you have diabetes? Have you heard of “Diabetic Retinopathy”? Diabetic Eye Disease takes on many forms including the most serious problem:diabetic retinopathy.Individuals with diabetes need to get dilated eye exams at a minimum of once per year. It is also important to maintain tigh...

As the old adage goes: “you are what you eat”. In this segment from Island Retina we want to bring to your attention eye healthy foods that may prevent you from undergoing further vision loss, and may help to prolong your vision as you reach your elder years. The go...

Should patients who need treatment with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for the treatment of COVID-19 worry about retinal toxicity? This is a question I have been asked given that there is quite a bit of news coverage about the possible therapeutic benefit of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for CO...

Intraocular injections are a common treatment for retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. Patients with these conditions risk permanent loss of central vision. Treatment as early and thoroughly as possible is important to save vision and pr...

Dr. Pamela Weber, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctor in the field of ophthalmology, leads Island Retina in its quest to provide the best retinal and vitreous care through advanced diagnostic and state-of-the-art treatments for their patients.  Standing out above other retinal centers, Is...

As retinal specialists we’ve dedicated our lives to caring for one of the most magnificent parts of the human body. But don’t just take our word for it—check out these 12 interesting facts and see for yourself just how amazing the retina really is. The retina is a part of...

Vision is one of our most valuable assets, and understanding the conditions that can rob us of this sense can go a long way toward prevention. One such sight-stealing condition is an epiretinal membrane (ERM). It has been estimated that about 30 million people in the United States have an epi...

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) affects nearly 10 million Americans and is the leading cause of adult blindness for older Americans. Although its development and progression can be devastating, it can be successfully treated if caught early. Understand your risks for Macular Degenerati...

Diabetes, affecting 1 in 10 Americans, increases the risks for visual impairment from serious eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy. Regular eye exams are critical in identifying eye disease and saving eyesight, yet 60% of Americans with diabetes skip vision-saving exams. Island Retina, LKC...

Are you seeing black or gray spots and specks in your vision? These are most commonly known as eye floaters. Varying in shape and size, you may see a single floater or many. They seem to drift about and dart away when attempting to see them directly. Floaters may be more prevalent in one eye tha...

The Macular Degeneration Association (MDA) has recognized Island Retina as a Macular Degeneration Center of Excellence. Striving to help patients locate outstanding treatment facilities in their area, the MDA recognizes outstanding practices dedicated to exceptional care, innovative treatment...

Diabetic Retinopathy: A Pound of Prevention Is Worth an Ounce of Cure Diabetic eye disease—specifically diabetic retinopathy— is a worldwide epidemic, and one that hits close to home at Island Retina. With diabetes on the rise, we’re seeing more and more microvascular compli...

A new Novartis drug, Beovu (brolucizumab), has just been approved by the FDA for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Most common in people 50 and older, it is estimated that 11 million people suffer from age-related macular degeneration. Wet AMD diagnoses make up 10%-15...

We are thrilled to announce that our very own Dr. Pamela Weber was selected as a Castle Connolly's Top Doctor in the field of ophthalmology!   For over 20 years, Castle Connolly is committed to recognizing excellence in the field of medicine.  The Castle Connolly Top Doctor aw...

Cataracts is a condition that many people associate with old age, but for many, the symptoms begin decades earlier.  More than 90% of the population will develop cataracts by the time they are 65.  People with diabetes, other eye diseases or those who heavily rely on steroid medications ca...

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States and estimated 5.4% of American’s over 40 suffer from the condition.   Diabetic retinopathy occurs when too much sugar in a person’s blood stream can lead to the blockage of the blood vessels that fuel t...

To say that women live busy lives is an understatement.  The demands of caring for children, investing in their marriage, combined with work and home demands leave little time for anything else.  While women may be good at taking care of others, they often neglect their own health and...

From the moment you open your eyes, you rely on your vision 24/7, but how much time do you spend thinking about caring for your eyes?  Between staring at screens for work and for fun, sometimes at multiple screens at once, our eyes are working harder than ever. The average American spends se...

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects more than 10 million Americans and is the leading cause of blindness in those over 65.   This disease affects the center of the retina, known as the macula which is the paper-thin tissue lining the back of the eye.  Th...

January is the time when everyone is focusing on “new year, new you”.  The good news is that many of the classic health resolutions and goals can also directly benefit the health of your eyes.  We want to help you envision a healthier you. Here are some habits for you to incorp...

Enrollment is now open for a new treatment for diabetic macular edema(DME)!  This is  important as diabetes affects 30,000,000 Americans and  DME affects at least 750,000. The new drug, may be superior to existing treatments,and may require much less frequent administration.The study...

There are a variety of different ailments and issues that can impact your sight. Sometimes, to be able to correct a problem, surgery is required. Vitrectomy is a surgery that can correct a vision problem. What Does Vitrectomy Correct? The ability for us to see is enabled by light passing t...

Eye floaters are gray or black specks, cobwebs, or strings that drift around your eye. When you try to look at them directly, they seem to dart away. Floaters are often caused by age-related changes in the eye. Overview There’s a jelly-like substance in our eyes called the vitreous t...

Many parents that need glasses to treat near-sightedness worry that their children will also suffer from the same ailment. Myopia is a refractive error that is common with many people who seek out optometrist assistance, and although it can be hereditary, that doesn’t necessarily mean that...

Injury around the eye The effects of ocular (eye) trauma depend on the mechanism of injury, and outcomes can range from recovery to irreversible blindness and loss of the eye. Ocular trauma usually occurs when an object or substance makes con- tact with the eye. When ocular trauma occurs,...

Retinal vein occlusion(RVO) is a blockage in the retinal veins that drain blood away from the eye. It is a common cause of vision loss affecting 16 million people world wide. It is often caused by atherosclerosis leading to the formation of a blood clot. Treatments are available with steroids, ant...

At Island Retina we enjoy teaching the community of doctors, health care providers and patients. On 6/14/18, Dr. Weber and Mr. Soque will lecture  in Collinsville, IL on “Lucentis and Diagnostic Tools for Retinal Diseases” to retinal practices in that area. Last week, the sa...

Sometimes we need help from the family to maintain a head position. How cute is this!!!

The American Society of Retina Specialists [http://imagebank.asrs.org/home] has selected as it’s Image of the Week, a photograph captured by Mr. James Soque, CRA, OCT-C, COA, Chief of Photography and Imaging Specialist/Island Retina. The link to this photograph can be found here: http://i...

JAMA PATIENT PAGE | ExperimentalTreatments Stem Cell Treatments Every organ in the body is made up of cells that originated as stem cells, which are then differentiated (changed) into different forms. Stem cells have special ability to become more than one type of cell in the body and also to...