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Your ophthalmologist has diagnosed
a condition in your eye called vitreomacular adhesion,
or VMA.
VMA is a condition affecting the macula,
which is the part of your eye
responsible for detailed central vision.
Your ophthalmologist has recommended
treating your VMA with an injection
of medication in your eye.
This medication can help to prevent
further retinal damage and save your sight.
To understand how VMA affects your vision,
let's take a look at how the eye works.
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Light rays enter the eye
through the cornea, pupil, and lens.
These light rays are focused on the retina,
the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye.
The retina has two areas:
the peripheral retina,
which gives us our side or wide-angle vision,
and the macula,
the small area at the center of the retina.
The macula gives us our pinpoint vision,
allowing us to see detail clearly.
The inner eye is filled with a clear,
jelly-like substance called vitreous.
As we age,
the vitreous becomes less like jelly
and more like liquid.
Usually, the vitreous is only loosely attached
to the retina,
so as the eye moves,
the vitreous moves away from the retina
without causing problems.
Sometimes, the vitreous does not fully separate
from the back of the eye
and remains attached to the macula.
This is called vitreomacular adhesion,
or VMA.
If the VMA persists,
the force of the vitreous pulling on the macula
can cause distorted or blurred vision
or loss of central vision.
If left untreated,
VMA can lead to severe loss of your vision.
In many cases,
VMA will resolve on its own without the need for treatment.
However, if it doesn't resolve and it is left untreated,
VMA can lead to vision loss.
Your ophthalmologist will treat your VMA
by injecting a medication into your eye.
This drug helps the vitreous separate from the retina.
To prepare your eye for the injection,
your ophthalmologist will clean your eye
to prevent infection
and numb it with anesthesia to reduce discomfort
during the procedure.
Your pupils may be dilated or widened
with eye drops.
The medicine is injected into the vitreous,
where it breaks down proteins in the eye
that are responsible for the vitreous
sticking to the retina.
Breaking down these proteins
helps the vitreous and retina separate,
reducing the chances
that the vitreous will tug on the macula
and cause vision loss.
As with any procedure,
there are risks of side effects and complications
with medication injections for VMA.
Risks and complications associated with the injections
may include:
eye infection,
inflammation or swelling within the eye,
new floaters,
bleeding in the eye,
changes in eye pressure,
yellowish vision,
damage to the eye's retina, cornea, or lens,
retinal detachment or retinal tear,
and clouding of the eye's lens, or cataract.
It is possible that your VMA may not get better
or may become worse.
Any or all of these complications
may cause decreased vision
or could cause blindness.
Additional procedures may be needed
to treat these complications.
Another treatment option for your VMA
is a surgical procedure called vitrectomy,
where the vitreous gel is removed from your eye.
Your ophthalmologist can explain
why he or she chose medication injection
for your particular course of treatment.
You don't have to be treated for your VMA.
However, if it is left untreated,
a VMA can lead to serious vision problems,
including blindness.
Be sure to keep all appointments
with your ophthalmologist after treatments.
Also, if you have any changes in your vision,
you should call your ophthalmologist
right away.
Monitoring your vision is a vital step
toward the goal of preserving your sight.
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