Medical retina is a subspecialty within ophthalmology focusing on the diagnosis and medical management of diseases affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, rather than surgical intervention. Medical retina specialists are ophthalmologists who have further specialized in the treatment of conditions affecting the retina, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and inherited retinal diseases.
Conditions Treated
Seeing floating specks or cobwebs.
Damage to the retina caused by high blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Inherited retinal diseases, Genetic conditions that affect the retina.
A blockage in the veins that carry blood away from the retina, causing swelling and bleeding.
A group of inherited eye diseases that cause progressive vision loss.
Treatment Methods
Medical retina specialists use a variety of non-surgical treatments, including:
Eye drops
Oral medications
Intravitreal injections
Laser treatments
When to see a doctor
It’s important to pay attention to any changes in your vision and find care quickly. Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly have floaters, flashes or reduced vision. These are warning signs of potentially serious retinal disease.
Risk factors for retinal diseases might include
Aging, Smoking, Being obese, Having diabetes or other diseases, Eye trauma, A family history of retinal diseases