The Importance of Retinal Exams

Losing your vision can be terrifying, especially if accompanied by a disease, trauma, or the pains of growing older. Ophthalmologists and vitreoretinal surgeons such as Dr. Anne E. Barañano of Retina Specialty Institute (who happens to be one of the only female retina specialists in the area) can calm your fears by managing your vision loss and even correcting it through restorative surgery.

By Caroline Edmondson | Photos Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191

Inspired after accompanying her ophthalmologist father on a medical mission trip to Guatemala in high school and witnessing how impactful physicians like her dad could be on patients’ lives, Anne E. Barañano made it her mission to do the same. Having received her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, her time there laid the foundation for being a caring, thorough, and well-trained physician. The eye, its beauty, and function fascinated Dr. Barañano, ultimately leading her to specialize in vitreoretinal surgery. “I enjoy the challenges of the delicate nature of ophthalmology and retinal surgery and being able to see patients of all ages in my clinic, helping protect or restore their vision,” she shares. While completing her residency in ophthalmology and fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery at Doheny Eye Institute in Los Angeles, Calif., she saw some of the most advanced, complicated eye diseases which provided her excellent training. Having grown up in Mobile, she was thrilled to return to the Gulf Coast and join Retina Specialty Institute in 2013. 

Without a doubt, Dr. Barañano’s work is extremely important, as retinal disease is very common in the United States. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects approximately 11.2 million Americans, and nearly 7.7 million suffer from diabetic retinopathy. “Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that causes damage to the blood vessels in the retina,” Dr. Barañano explains. “It is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in working-age Americans, and it occurs in more than half of people who have diabetes. It can affect any race or gender and can affect people with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Age-related macular degeneration is a deterioration of the retina that occurs as the eye ages, causing distortion or loss of central vision,” she says. AMD is a leading cause of significant vision loss in people over the age of 50. The primary risk factor is age – meaning the older you are, the greater your risk. It can affect any race or gender but is more common in Caucasians. Unfortunately, there is no cure for either disease. However, there are many ways patients can protect their vision, such as not smoking, eating leafy greens, and having regular dilated eye exams. If significant disease is found during an exam, a patient’s vision can be saved by in-office treatments with medication or laser therapy.

Dr. Barañano also performs restorative surgeries to help those patients suffering from retinal tears, retinal detachments, and macular holes. “The retina is very fragile and can be thought of as a piece of wet Kleenex that lines the inside of the eyeball,” she explains. “If there is a tear in the ‘Kleenex,’ fluid that circulates inside the eye can get behind the retina and lead to a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.” Dr. Barañano says the typical symptoms of retinal tear and detachment include new onset of floaters, flashing lights, or a dark curtain or veil that blocks vision. “If we diagnose the retinal tear when it is small, we can treat it in the office with laser therapy and prevent vision loss,” she says. “If there is already a large retinal detachment, the patient can experience permanent vision loss if it is not repaired quickly. Different methods of repair include pneumatic retinopexy and scleral buckle and vitrectomy, which have an overall success rate of 90 percent.

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who loves their job more than Dr. Barañano, who says her daily interactions with patients and their families is her favorite part of her job. “I am very proud of my staff and the way they treat each patient like family,” she says. “It can be very nerve-wracking, especially for new patients, to see a retina doctor. I love meeting patients for the first time and take my time explaining my findings and educating them about their disease. We discuss the treatment plan, and I explain what they can expect and steps they can take to protect their eyes. Some of my patients come in for monthly exams, so we get to know each other well and develop a strong partnership to protect their eyes. I strive to provide the best quality care with compassion and dedication to each of my patients,” Dr. Barañano says. 

And although vitreoretinal surgeons such as Dr. Barañano have the ability to prevent patients from losing or even restore their vision thanks to modern medications and surgery, she wants potential patients to be aware this can only be done in partnership with the patient. “It is important to be aware of the importance of protecting your eye health, having regular dilated eye exams (especially if you have diabetes), and finding a physician you trust that will work their hardest to preserve your vision,” she says. Looking to the future, Dr. Barañano hopes to give back to the community as a vitreoretinal surgeon by continuing to protect and restore vision for her patients while also participating in the development of novel medications and adapting innovative surgical techniques as the understanding of retinal diseases grows and the technology improves. “I feel incredibly fortunate to play this role in my patients’ lives, and I respect the trust they place in me when it comes to protecting their vision,” she says. “I’m very proud of the meaningful impact I can have on their lives.”

Retina Specialty Institute | 3290 Dauphin St., Suite 502 Mobile, AL | 251.272.3618