What
are the means of diagnosis and treating diseases of the retina and vitreous?
A complete eye examination with dilating drops is absolutely necessary.
Bright sources of light must be used to see the back of your eye.
Other procedures for diagnosis
and treatment include:
Fluorescein & ICG Angiography, Fundus Photography: Methods
used to study the integrity of the blood vessels, to discover leaks, and
to photograph the back of the eye for documentation and diagnosis.
Ultrasonography: Involves the use of soundwaves to study the interior of the eye. This is similar to using "sonar" to detect objects under the water.
Optical Coherence Tomography: Involves the use of reflected light waves to produce an optical cross-section of the retina.
Laser: Involves the use of highly focused light to seal leaking blood vessels in diabetes, macular degeneration and other retinal blood vessel problems. Laser can also be used to repair torn retinas.
Photodynamic (Visudyne) Therapy: Utilizes a medication (Visudyne) injected intravenously along with a low-power (cold) laser to treat wet macular degeneration.
Macugen: A medication injected inside the eye which inactivates the stimulus for wet macular degeneration.
Cryo-Surgery: Involves the use of a small freezing probe to repair areas of the retina or retinal tears.
Retinal Detachment Surgery: Involves an operation to reattach the retina to its normal position.
Vitrectomy: An operation used to remove cloudy or bloody vitreous gel or to release vitreous pulling on the retina. The cloudy vitreous is replaced with clear fluid.
Our physicians keep up with the latest developments in the care of vitreo-retinal problems and teach at the medical schools of Stanford and the University of California, San Francisco.
The best doctor patient relations are based on mutual understanding and communication. We make a special effort to explain everything to you regarding your condition, treatment, medications, etc. If you ever have questions, do not hesitate to ask.
Supplemental education material is available in a variety of formats. There are booklets and handouts available for certain retinal disorders. Please inquire at the front desk about educational materials.