Diagnostics and Treatments

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Diagnostics and Treatments

Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment of retinal conditions are crucial to preserving vision and preventing permanent vision loss. At Mid Atlantic Retina Specialists, our expert physicians conduct thorough testing and develop customized treatment plans to help patients maintain good retinal health.

Retinal Diagnosis and Testing

During an eye exam, your retina specialist may conduct various diagnostic tests to evaluate your retinas and identify any abnormalities. These tests can help determine the presence, location, and severity of any damage or illness.

Dilated Eye Exam

During an exam, the doctor will apply special eye drops to widen the pupil, allowing for a better examination of the retina, macula, and optic nerve. After the eye drops are administered, it typically takes about 15 to 30 minutes for your eyes to become fully dilated. You may experience blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light for 4 to 6 hours. For this reason, it's important to arrange for someone to drive you home after your appointment.

Retinal Imaging Tests

Advanced imaging techniques are essential in diagnosing retinal conditions, allowing retina specialists to identify issues in the retina, macula, and vitreous.

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT): This non-invasive technique uses infrared light waves to capture cross-sectional images of the retina.
• Fluorescein angiography: In this test, a colored dye is injected into the bloodstream. The dye travels to the blood vessels in the eye, and a special camera captures images to identify any abnormalities in the retina.
• B-scan: This non-invasive test uses ultrasound to provide additional information on the retina when the doctor can not directly visualize your retina. This is often used when a dense cataract or vitreous hemorrhage obscures the view into the eye.
• Indocyanine green angiography: Similar to fluorescein angiography, this test also involves an intravenous injection of dye. However, the dye used in this test responds to infrared light, making it easier to see the deeper blood vessels in the retina.

Amsler Grid Test

The Amsler grid is a simple square containing a grid pattern and a dot in the middle that can help show problem spots in the field of vision. If the macula is damaged, patients may notice that the lines in a grid appear wavy, broken, or distorted. They can perform this test at home to self-monitor their vision and should report any changes to their doctor as soon as possible.

Retinal Treatments Overview

Treatment for retinal conditions depends on the type and severity of the illness. Some conditions require monitoring, while others may need surgery, laser treatment, or eye injections.

Intravitreal Injections

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications are a group of drugs used to inhibit the growth of blood vessels in the eye. Common conditions treated with anti-VEGF medications include diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinal vein occlusion. Examples of anti-VEGF medications are Eylea HD, Pavblu, Vabysmo, and Avastin, which are administered via injection directly into the eye.

Complement inhibitors are a group of drugs used to treat the most advanced form of dry AMD called Geographic Atrophy (GA). These drugs, including Syfovre and Izervay, are administered via injection directly into the eye every 1-2 months to help slow the progression of vision loss.

Laser Therapy

• Focal laser surgery, also known as photocoagulation: This procedure utilizes a high-energy laser to close abnormal blood vessels, preventing further leakage. This type of laser is also used to treat retinal tears to help prevent progression into a retinal detachment.
• Photodynamic therapy: In this procedure, a light-activated drug is injected into the body. A laser is then used to activate the drug, which helps seal off abnormal blood vessels.

Vitrectomy

Vitrectomy is a type of ocular surgery that is used to treat various retinal conditions, including detachments, bleeding caused by diabetic retinopathy, macular holes and puckers, and more. During this procedure, a retina surgeon removes the vitreous gel from the eye and replaces it with saline, silicone oil, or a gas bubble. This can make it easier for them to access and repair retinal damage. A vitrectomy may also be performed to remove blood, scar tissue, or foreign objects from the eye.

Scleral Buckle

Scleral buckle is one of the techniques used for retinal detachment repair. During this procedure, a small sponge holds the retina against the sclera (the white part of the eye) and a thin band secures it all together. The procedure is typically completed in an operating room on an outpatient basis.