You’ve likely heard of cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. These are eye conditions that are commonly treated at Eye Institute of South Jersey, P.C. however we also treat many less-common eye diseases. Here we will review 4 unusual eye diseases that you may not have heard of:
Stargardt Disease – Also known as juvenile macular degeneration, Stargardt’s disease is genetic eye disorder that causes progressive vision loss. It affects the macula, an area of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. As central visual acuity declines, patients will notice difficulty with reading, driving and other daily activities. The signs and symptoms of Stargardt macular degeneration typically appear in late childhood to early adulthood and will worsen over time.
Best Disease – Best disease, also known as Vitelliform macular dystrophy, is a rare, inherited eye disease. It causes retinal degeneration which affects the macula. Best disease typically presents itself during the teen years, but vision is not diminished until the patient is older. Central vision is affected first. It may affect one eye or both eyes, generally both are not affected at the same time.
Heterochromia Iridis – Heterochromia iridis is a condition in which the iris in one eye has a different color than the iris of the other eye. The iris is the thin circular structure that surrounds your pupil and contains pigment or melanin, which gives our eyes their distinct color. The amount of melanin that has developed in the iris at birth and shortly after determines one’s eye color. Blue eyes contain the lowest amount of melanin while brown eyes have the most. In most cases, heterochromia does not affect one’s vision.
Retinoblastoma – Retinoblastoma is a disease that causes the growth of malignant tumors in the retinal cell layer of the eye. The frequency that retinoblastoma occurs is 1 out of every 15,000 live births. If untreated, retinoblastoma is almost always fatal; therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is critical in saving lives and preserving visual function. Retinoblastoma is a childhood disease. In general, most new cases of retinoblastoma are diagnosed before the age of 5.
No matter the eye condition, Dr. Pernelli is here to help anyone in need of top-quality eye care in Vineland. If you’re concerned about your eye health, contact Eye Institute of South Jersey, P.C. at 856-205-1100 or website to schedule an appointment.