Diabetes & Your Eyes
If you have diabetes — type 1 or type 2 — it can quietly affect your eyes long before you notice any change in your vision. High…
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Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
Diabetic macular edema is a complication of diabetic retinopathy in which damaged blood vessels leak fluid into the macula — the central part of the retina responsible…
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Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is the advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy. “Proliferative” means that new blood vessels are growing — and these new vessels are the problem. They…
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Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachments often require surgery. Types of surgery include pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckle, and vitrectomy. Retinal detachments need to be treated quickly, so if you may be…
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Retinal Diseases
Dr. Smithen can detect physical changes in your eyes before you have symptoms. For this reason, routine eye examinations are essential to protect your eye health. …
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Retinal Vein Occlusions
A retinal vein occlusion is a blockage of one of the veins that carries blood away from the retina — similar to a stroke, but in the…
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Dry Macular Degeneration
Dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) is the most common form of macular degeneration, accounting for about 80–85% of all cases. It happens when the macula —…
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Wet Macular Degeneration
Wet AMD is less common than dry AMD but far more serious. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the macula and leak fluid or blood….
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Eye Flashes
Experiencing sudden flashes of light in your vision can be alarming. At Retina & Macular Disease Specialists, we specialize in diagnosing and treating eye flashes to protect your sight in Arlington, VA. If you…
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Intraocular Injections
When treating retinal diseases, an intraocular injection, or injection directly into the eye, is the best way to place medication exactly where it’s needed and to deliver…
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Sudden Blurry Vision
Experiencing sudden blurry vision can be alarming. At Retina & Macular Disease Specialists, we specialize in identifying and treating retinal and macular conditions that may cause rapid vision changes. Early diagnosis is crucial…
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Sudden Loss of Vision
Experiencing sudden vision loss can be alarming and requires immediate attention. At Retina & Macular Disease Specialists, we specialize in diagnosing and treating retinal emergencies to help preserve your sight. If you notice…
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Floaters, Flashes & Posterior Vitreous Detachment
Floaters are the small dots, squiggles, or cobweb-like shapes that drift across your vision. They are caused by tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous…
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Intravitreal (Eye) Injections
Hearing that you need an injection in your eye can sound frightening. The good news is that these treatments are one of the most effective ways we…
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