IN Better Health

by Leah Draffen

WHEN ADAM DIAZ’S only working eye became red and light sensitive, he went to see an Ophthalmologist who referred him to a local retina specialist. He was sent home with steroid eyedrops and instructions to call back in two weeks. Yet, Adam felt his condition was more urgent.

Advocating for himself, he began looking elsewhere for a retina specialist. He says, “That’s when I found Dr. Kathy Ta at the Retina Associates of New Orleans! They were booked up but got me in immediately to be seen. They stayed late after hours to ensure I was properly diagnosed. After examination and discussion of my medical history, Dr. Ta was able to properly diagnose and aggressively treat me.

“She was kind and compassionate and took the time to listen to all of my concerns and explain what was happening and what they were going to do. If it wasn’t for her fast action and quick decisions, I would be permanently blind.”

When asked about Adam’s initial visit, Dr. Ta says: “The first time I met Mr. Diaz, he understandably was very fearful of losing his vision. He only had one seeing eye, as he had lost vision in his other eye at a young age due to a retinal detachment. Along with eye redness, photosensitivity, and seeing floaters, he explained to me that his peripheral vision had rapidly deteriorated over a matter of days. On examination, Mr. Diaz had severe inflammation in the posterior segment of his eye with peripheral retinal whitening, which alerted me to the possibility that this could be an underlying viral infection of the retina.

“I suspected Acute Retinal Necrosis (ARN), which is characterized by retinal whitening, typically beginning in the peripheral retina, and can rapidly become more and more confluent until it spreads towards the patient’s central vision, as in Mr. Diaz’s case. There is typically also inflammation of the retinal arterioles, which can lead to occlusion and further vision loss.”

Dr. Ta quickly leaped into action to help Adam’s condition. “Based on my clinical suspicion of ARN, I immediately started Mr. Diaz on oral antivirals while I waited on lab results to rule out other potential diagnoses. I also took a small sample of aqueous fluid, or fluid from the front of the eye, and sent this for viral polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to rapidly determine the causative virus. Shortly after, I treated him with an intravitreal antiviral, or an injection of antiviral medication into the eye, and started him on steroid eyedrops to alleviate the inflammation.

“Treatment of ARN traditionally involved hospitalizing patients with IV antivirals, but more recently, newer oral antiviral agents, along with intravitreal injections, have allowed retinal specialists to effectively manage this complex condition in an outpatient setting. Prompt initiation of antiviral treatment, both with oral antivirals and/or intravitreal antivirals, can halt progression of the retinitis, or retinal infection, within days to weeks. Another concern is that after resolution of the infection, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a common potential complication. This occurs in about 75 percent of eyes with ARN and may develop weeks to months after initial presentation of the infection.

“In order to prevent vision loss from a

Condition: Acute Retinal

Necrosis Treatment: Antiviral

Medication, Retinal Laser

Photocoagulation, and

Pneumatic Retinopexy

detachment, I performed a preventative laser treatment to the entire periphery of Mr. Diaz’s retina. Despite the laser treatment, unfortunately about three months after he initially presented to me, he did develop a retinal detachment. I repaired his retinal detachment with an in-office procedure called a pneumatic retinopexy, where a gas bubble and laser are placed in the eye in order to reattach the retina. Fortunately, the procedure was successful, and Mr. Diaz was able to fully regain his vision.”

Adam’s results and progress exceeded Dr. Ta’s expectations and he was able to return to work and care for his family. Dr. Ta adds, “Mr. Diaz, along with so many of my other patients, are a constant reminder of how privileged I am to be able to help others stabilize their vision, improve the health of their eyes, and greatly improve their quality of life. This drives me to give the best possible care to my patients each and every day.”

Almost a year and a half later, Adam is still thankful for the outcome. “I can’t speak highly enough of Dr. Ta, Dr. Zak, Dr. Zhuk, and Dr. Cousins who were working together to help solve this difficult case. Dr. Ta saved my sight and helped me preserve my life as I know it,” says Adam. “I have lots of people who depend on me and she not only helped me but countless others who would been burdened if I were blinded. Thank you, Dr. Ta and the other physicians at Retina Associates of New Orleans!”

ABOUT DR. KATHY TA

Board Certified in Ophthalmology and Vitreoretinal Surgery, Dr. Ta earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from Tulane University, and medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport. She completed an internship in Internal Medicine at Ochsner Clinic Foundation; Ophthalmology residency at Louisiana State University Health and Sciences Center and Ochsner Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident; and fellowship training in Vitreoretinal Surgery at The Foundation for Retinal Research in New Orleans. She is a member of The American Academy of Ophthalmology, The American College of Surgeons, and The American Society of Retina Specialists. She is also an active researcher, participating in numerous ongoing clinical trials in ophthalmology, focusing on diseases of the Retina, Macula and Vitreous.