Retina Treatments

Retinal diseases can affect the area of the retina that serves your central vision (the macula and the fovea at the center of the macula). Furthermore, many retinal diseases share common symptoms and treatments, but each has unique characteristics. In most cases, retina treatments aim to stop or slow disease progression and preserve, improve, or restore vision.

Retinal Conditions

Treating retina conditions is a very specialized practice within the field of opthalmology. Pepose Vision is proud to be a leader in retinal services, and treats patients with a wide variety retinal conditions.

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Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

A leading cause of vision loss in older adults, affecting the central part of the retina (macula)

Retinal Detachment

A medical emergency where the retina separates from the back of the eye

Macular Edema

Swelling of the macula, often caused by diabetic retinopathy or other conditions

Macular Hole

A small break in the macula that can affect central vision

Uveitis

Inflammation of the uvea, which can affect the retina

Diabetic Retinopathy

A complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels in the retina

Retinitis Pigmentosa

A group of inherited diseases causing retinal degeneration

central serous retinopathy

Fluid buildup under the retina, often causing temporary vision loss

Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)

Blockage of the veins that drain blood from the retina

Epiretinal Membrane (Macular Pucker)

A thin layer of scar tissue that can form on the surface of the retina

How do I know if I have retinal disease?

Retinal disorders may cause symptoms such as blurred vision, floaters (usually fine objects that appear as debris obscuring the visual image), and flashes of light. However, many conditions affecting the retina do not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages, but may lead to irreversible and sometimes severe loss of vision. Symptoms may indicate a disorder limited to the eye or may be related to a systemic condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease (“narrowing of the arteries”), autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, blood infections, and certain types of cancers.

The diagnosis and monitoring of retinal diseases requires a complete eye examination where the pupils are dilated with eye drops. Therefore, you may experience a temporary change in vision and sensitivity to light, so you may wish to bring a pair of sunglasses to wear after the visit. Finally, one or more tests may need to be performed to help your treating physician assess the retina and macula (the central portion of the retina).

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Retina Treatments Frequently Asked Questions

What is a retina specialist?

A retina specialist is a doctor who has completed a 4-year medical school, a one-year hospital internship, a 3-year ophthalmology residency, and finally, a 2-year fellowship of specialty training in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous. A retina specialist focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous.

Who should see a retina specialist?

Anyone with a retinal diagnosis given to them by their ophthalmologist or optometrist could potentially benefit from seeing a retina specialist. Such diagnoses include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, trauma, macular hole, and epiretinal membrane. In addition, any one with unexplained blurred vision may benefit from a retinal evaluation.

What is age-related macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in the United States for persons aged 65 or older. It is an age-related degeneration of the macula, or center of the retina. (The macula allows for reading and driving vision.) AMD is described in 2 forms: Dry and Wet. In dry AMD, the retina will have age-spots called drusen in the macula. The drusen are compatible with good vision, but place an individual at risk for progressing to wet AMD. Wet AMD is a condition in which abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the macula and cause a bleeding and leakage (hence the term “wet”) that destroys central vision.

If I have diabetes, should I see a retina specialist?

Every diabetic patient should have a yearly, dilated retinal examination by an eye care professional. Retina specialists are ophthalmologists specifically trained to diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy. If diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed, follow-up examinations with a retina specialist would be needed more frequently than once a year. Unfortunately, Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States for persons aged 65 or less. However, in many cases, vision loss is preventable with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

What's Next?

Pepose Vision uses the latest and most advanced technology to diagnose our patients’ retina conditions, and we create customized treatment plans. In fact, we are leaders in the research and application of new treatments of the retina, macula, and vitreous. Should you be diagnosed with a retinal condition, we advise that the best way to ensure a successful outcome is to choose a highly experienced specialist who is involved in developing state-of-the-art treatments to enhance your vision outcome.

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