Seeing Fine? Why You Still Need a Retinal Exam This Year
Why "perfect" vision isn't enough—and the silent symptoms we are seeing right now in Katy.
If you live in Elyson or Katy Lakes, you’ve likely noticed how much our community is growing. But lately, at our practice, we’ve noticed another trend that is less positive: a significant rise in patients coming in with retinal issues they didn’t know they had.
Many of these patients sat in our chair and said the same thing: "But I see 20/20. I thought my eyes were fine."
Here is the hard truth we want our neighbors to know: Good vision does not always mean healthy eyes.
The "Silent" Problem: Why You Can’t Feel Your Retina
Your retina is the wallpaper at the back of your eye that captures light and sends images to your brain. It is an incredible piece of biology, but it has one major flaw: it has no pain receptors.
You can tear your retina, bleed behind your eye, or have early-stage tumors, and you will not feel a thing. By the time you notice a change in your vision—like a dark curtain or a blur—the damage has often already been done.
3 Silent Conditions We Are Seeing in Katy
Right now, we are diagnosing these three conditions more frequently in our local patients:
1. Retinal Tears & Detachments
What it is: The gel inside your eye pulls away from the retina, causing a snag or tear.
The Warning Signs: Sometimes there are none. Other times, you might see sudden flashes of light (like a camera flash in your peripheral vision) or a shower of new floaters.
Why it matters: A small tear can be laser-repaired in minutes. If ignored, it can become a full detachment that requires emergency surgery to save your sight.
2. Diabetic Retinopathy
What it is: High blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak or bleed.
The Warning Signs: In the early stages? Zero. You can have 20/20 vision while blood vessels are actively leaking in the back of your eye.
Why it matters: Diabetes is prevalent here in Texas. Catching this early is the only way to prevent permanent vision loss.
3. Macular Degeneration
What it is: The breakdown of the central part of your retina, responsible for seeing detailed faces and reading.
The Warning Signs: It starts with small yellow deposits called "drusen" that only a doctor can see.
Why it matters: Once vision is lost to macular degeneration, it is difficult to restore. Early detection allows us to recommend lifestyle changes and vitamins to slow the progression.
How We See What You Can’t: Our Technology
In the past, eye exams involved shining a light into your eye and hoping we caught everything through a small pupil. Today, at our clinic near Katy Lakes, we use advanced imaging to see the full picture.
The "Wide" View: Optomap Ultra-Widefield Imaging Think of a traditional eye exam like looking at a room through a keyhole—you only see a tiny slice at a time.
What we use: The Optomap gives us a 200-degree panoramic view of your retina in a single capture.
The Benefit: It allows us to spot tears and issues in the far periphery of your eye that traditional methods might miss. Plus, for many patients, it can often be done without dilation drops!
The "Deep" View: OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) If the Optomap is the photo of the wallpaper, the OCT is like looking behind the walls.
What we use: OCT technology works like an MRI or ultrasound, but uses light waves. It lets us see the layers beneath the surface of your retina.
The Benefit: We can detect the earliest signs of diabetic swelling, glaucoma, or macular degeneration years before they affect your vision.
Don’t Wait for a Shadow
If you are noticing flashes, new floaters, or just haven't had your eyes checked in over a year, please don't wait.
Whether you are right next door in Elyson or Katy Lakes, or driving in from anywhere across the greater Katy area, our practice is designed to be your local home for advanced eye care. We have the technology to give you peace of mind that your eyes are truly healthy, not just seeing 20/20.
Ready to see the full picture of your eye health? Schedule your appointment today to ensure your vision is protected for the future.
Call or Text us: (281) 626-9885