Patient Education

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Patient Education

At Colorado Retina we understand that your initial appointment with a retina doctor may be a foreign experience. Below are some general patient references to provide you with a better understanding of what we do and why you were referred to see a vitreoretinal specialist. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We are here for you every step of the way.

The Anatomy of the Eye

What is the Retina?

The retina is the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of our eye. Light rays are focused onto the retina through our cornea, pupil and lens. The retina converts the light rays into impulses that travel through the optic nerve to our brain, where they are interpreted as the images we see. The retina is essential for the sharp, central vision we need for reading, driving and seeing fine detail.

What is the Macula?

The macula lies in the back of the eye and is the functional center of the retina. It gives us the ability to see 20/20 and provides the best color vision. The macula is the spot in the eye where light is focused by the structures in the front of the eye (cornea & lens). It takes the picture that is sent to the brain, where vision is completed. The macula provides us with the ability to read and see in great detail, whereas the rest of the retina provides peripheral vision.

Of all the different parts of the eye, the macula is where the most important images are created before being sent along the optic nerve to the brain, where vision is completed. The structure of the macula needs to be undisturbed and relatively dry in order for the images to be clear and vision to be good. Macular disease causes central vision loss if not treated, and is connected to diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.

What is the Vitreous?

The vitreous body is the part of the eye that fills the space in the center of the eye. It is the largest structure within the eye, yet our knowledge of its molecular composition, supramolecular organization, and physiology are perhaps the least of any of the other parts of the eye. When we are young, the vitreous is primarily a watery gel. As we get older, and in nearsighted eyes, the gel liquifies and can cause floaters or retinal tears or detachments.