Retina News

Jan. 14, 2016

Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye conditions that can affect people with diabetes.

• Diabetic retinopathy affects blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue called the retina that lines the back of the eye. It is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and the leading cause of vision impairment and blindness among working-age adults.
• Diabetic macular edema (DME). A consequence of diabetic retinopathy, DME is swelling in an area of the retina called the macula.

DME is the buildup of fluid (edema) in a region of the retina called the macula. The macula is important for the sharp, straight-ahead vision that is used for reading, recognizing faces, and driving. DME is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetic retinopathy. About half of all people with diabetic retinopathy will develop DME. Although it is more likely to occur as diabetic retinopathy worsens, DME can happen at any stage of the disease.

Blurry vision may be a symptom of DME in patients with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.

Jan. 13, 2016

It is critical for people living with diabetes to see a retina specialist regularly for comprehensive eye exams, in order to detect and treat diabetic retinopathy. A retina specialist is uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy.

You should see a retina specialist if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Dark spots in your visual field.
• Blurred, distorted or double vision.
• Large “floaters” – specks in the form of dots, circles, lines, or cobwebs that move across your field of vision. They are most noticeable when looking at a white wall or clear sky. (These may or may not be a sign of diabetic retinopathy, but should be checked.)

Jan. 11, 2016

Are you experiencing vision problems? Do straight lines start to appear distorted or has your center of vision become distorted? Are you seeing dark, blurry areas or white out areas in your center of vision? These may be symptoms of Macular Degeneration, a condition of aging that affects vision. A retina specialist is trained in diagnosing and treating Macular Degeneration. Make your appointment today with Dr. Saralyn Notaro Rietz by calling (716) 839-9009.

Jan. 4, 2016

Ring in 2016 by taking care of your eye health. Diabetes patients often do not realize how diabetes can have a profound impact on the eye. Many diabetes patients are aware of the effects on the skin and extremities such as the legs and feet, but diabetic eye disease can lead to vision loss. Just getting your eyes examined by a regular optometrist is not enough. Diabetic patients need to see a retina specialist because Diabetic Retinopathy is a disease of the retina. Only a retina specialist is trained in diagnosing and treating this type of disease. Make your appointment today, no referral needed, by calling Dr. Saralyn Notaro Rietz at (716) 839-9009.

Dec. 21, 2015

This is a great time to make an appointment to get your eyes checked for the new year while the weather is still relatively warm and there is no snow on the ground. Don’t wait until the snow flies, make your appointment today by calling (716) 839-9009! You can visit either of our two conveniently located offices at 4476 Main St., Suite 114, Snyder or at 525 Wheatfield St., Suite 15, North Tonawanda. Remember, no referral is needed.

Dec. 17, 2015

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Our office will be closed Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24 and 25, and Thursday and Friday, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for the holidays. Call to schedule an appointment, no referral needed, at (716) 839-9009.

Dec. 10, 2015

Our patients have spoken, and we listened. Patients are telling us they want low wait times, less of an assembly line approach to medicine, and to talk to a person and not a machine when they call their doctor’s office. When you come to see Dr. Saralyn Notaro Rietz, you will experience some of the lowest wait times in the retina business. When you call her office, you will always talk to a real person, not a confusing series of “press 1 for this, press 2 for that,” automated messages. You will receive the most personalized care in the business. Dr. Notaro Rietz specializes in one-on-one interaction and makes sure all your questions are answered. Don’t hesitate to make your appointment today, no referrals needed. Call (716) 839-9009.

Nov. 30, 2015

Check out the Sunday Buffalo News picture page to see a photo of Dr. Saralyn Notaro Rietz and her husband, Ralph Rietz, dancing the night away on the VIP dance floor at the World’s Largest Disco!

Nov. 25, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone here at Dr. Saralyn Notaro Rietz’s office. The office will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 27 for the holiday. To schedule an appointment, call (716) 839-9009.

Nov. 9, 2015

Do you know the symptoms of a retinal disease and detachment?

Retinal diseases can be associated with aging, diabetes or other diseases, trauma to the eye, or family history. Symptoms might include seeing floating specks or cobwebs, blurred vision, distorted vision, defects in the field of vision, lost vision, or other problems.

To make a diagnosis, your ophthalmologist conducts a thorough eye exam and looks for abnormalities anywhere in the eye.

Anyone who is beginning to experience these symptoms should see an ophthalmologist for a retinal exam.

If you experience a shadow or curtain that affects any part of the vision, this can indicate that a retinal tear has progressed to a detached retina. In this situation, you should immediately consult an eye doctor since time can be critical. The goal for the ophthalmologist is to make the diagnosis and treat the retinal tear or detachment before the central macular area of the retina detaches.

Studies have shown that the incidence of retinal detachments caused by tears in the retina affect approximately one in 10,000 people each year.

Nov. 4, 2015

Eye disease affects more middle-aged adults than you might realize.

• 2,069,403 people ages 50 and older have late AMD (age-related macular degeneration).
• 24,409,978 people ages 40 and older have cataracts.
• 2,719,379 people ages 40 and older have open-angle glaucoma.
• 7,685,237 people ages 40 and older have diabetic retinopathy.

Nov. 2, 2015

With Halloween just passed and the holiday season quickly approaching, people focus on how too many sweets and treats may affect their waistlines. But did you know that all that sugar could impact your eye health too?

Did you know that diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of blindness in adults aged 20–74 and that this disease can “silently” affect the retina for long periods of time?

The American Society of Retina Specialists recommends that diabetic patients be examined and followed by a retina specialist.  They are uniquely trained and qualified to diagnose and treat all aspects of diabetic eye disease.