For years it has been known that laser treatment is beneficial in the treatment of Branch Retinal Vein Occlusions and Central Retinal Vein Occlusions. Other treatments including steroid injections, anti VEGF injections and various surgical procedures have also been utilized for these conditions.

While it has been known from extensive clinical experience that anti VEGF medications including Lucentis® and Avastin® are useful in the treatment of retinal vein occlusions, a recent phase III study known as the CRUISE study sponsored by Genentech has now statistically proven the benefit of Lucentis® for vein occlusions. The FDA has also recently approved a dexamethasone sustained release intravitreal implant known as Ozurdex® for the treatment of macular edema due to retinal vein occlusions. These newer treatments are leading to a much better prognosis for these relatively common conditions.

Retinal Testing

Fluorescein angiography (FA) has been the gold-standard for retinal imaging for decades. This test is extremely useful when evaluating Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusions. Many other modalities of retinal imaging provide additional information leading to more accurate diagnosis and treatment…

• Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG) can provide information about the retina or choroid that at times cannot be determined by FA. This test can be useful in some cases of ARMD or in ocular inflammatory diseases.
• B-scan ultrasonography can obtain useful information regarding the vitreous, retina and choroid. This test can be useful for evaluating tumors or for evaluating the retina when opacities such as blood prevent visualization.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a technique that allows for a cross-sectional image of the retina to be obtained. This test does not require any dyes or injections and the test can be performed in minutes without any risks or side effects.
• A newer photographic technique known as fundus autofluorescence (FAF) obtains images of the retina and can detect areas of damage that are not visible by routine examination techniques.

The Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute and Fort Lauderdale Retina Institute offer all of these tests in order to provide the most accurate diagnoses for our patients.

At the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute and Fort Lauderdale Retina Institute we take pride in our involvement with the surrounding communities. Drs. Ronald Glatzer and Tirso Lara recently spoke to the community regarding the latest treatments for macular degeneration. This talk was sponsored by the Macula Vision Research Foundation, a national organization with a mission to find the cause, prevention, treatment and cure for macula vision diseases. We are also sponsors of many fundraising walks including the upcoming Lighthouse of Broward “Eye Opener” 5K run/walk on January 10, 2010.

Retinal specialists are medical doctors that have received one or two years of additional training in the diagnosis, medical treatment, and surgical treatment of disorders of the retina, macula, and vitreous.

Most eye doctors do not treat many serious retinal conditions. Therefore, patients are usually diagnosed with a retinal condition by their general eye doctor (an ophthalmologist, Eye MD or an optometrist). The patients are then sent to a retinal specialist so that a diagnosis can be made and if needed, a medical or surgical treatment plan can be undertaken.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician. Do not delay in seeking medical advice because of something you read on Fort Lauderdale Retina Site.

There are several common ways vision loss is detected:

1. Words on a page look blurred
2. A dark or empty area appears in the center of your vision
3. Straight lines look distorted.

Your ophthalmologist can detect early stages of macular degeneration during a medical eye exam.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician. Do not delay in seeking medical advice because of something you read on Fort Lauderdale Retina Site.

It is our goal to give you the most accurate and advanced information possible on our blog.  We will provide the most recent information on the advancement of treatments for macular degeneration including Lucentis and Avastin.  Our doctors have been involved in cutting edge research into the causes and treatment of age related macular degeneration.

We hope you will find our blog informative and we welcome your comments.  Please check back often for new articles.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician. Do not delay in seeking medical advice because of something you read on Fort Lauderdale Retina Site.