Glossary of Retina Terms
A patient-friendly guide to the medical words you may hear during visits with your retina specialist. Use the search box or jump to a letter to find a term.
A Terms starting with A
Amsler Grid
A simple at-home screening tool with a grid of horizontal and vertical lines and a central dot. It helps detect macular changes—if lines look wavy, broken, or missing, contact your retina specialist promptly.
Anti-VEGF
A type of medication injected into the eye that blocks Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), a protein that promotes abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage. It is the standard treatment for wet AMD, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion.
Aqueous Humor
The clear, watery fluid produced by the ciliary body that fills the front chamber of the eye (between the cornea and the lens). It helps maintain eye pressure and nourish these structures.
B Terms starting with B
BRVO (Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion)
A blockage of one of the smaller branches of the retinal vein, causing bleeding and fluid leakage in a portion of the retina. It can lead to macular edema and vision loss, often treated with injections or laser.
C Terms starting with C
Cataract
A clouding of the natural crystalline lens inside the eye, which lies behind the iris and pupil. While not a retinal condition, cataracts often coexist in patients with retinal disease and can be removed surgically.
Central Vision
The part of your sight that allows you to see fine details straight ahead, such as when reading, driving, or recognizing faces. It is produced by the macula at the center of the retina.
CRVO (Central Retinal Vein Occlusion)
A blockage of the main retinal vein where it exits the eye, causing widespread retinal hemorrhage and swelling. It can cause sudden vision loss and may require injections, laser, or management of underlying risk factors.
Cryotherapy
A treatment that uses extreme cold to freeze and seal retinal tears or weak areas, helping prevent retinal detachment. It is sometimes used instead of laser in certain situations.
D Terms starting with D
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
A complication of diabetic retinopathy where damaged blood vessels leak fluid into the macula, causing it to swell and blur central vision. It is commonly treated with anti-VEGF injections, laser, or steroid implants.
Drusen
Small yellow deposits that form under the retina, typically in age-related macular degeneration. Their presence and size help doctors stage AMD and assess the risk of progression.
Dry AMD
The more common form of age-related macular degeneration, characterized by thinning of the macula and drusen buildup. It usually progresses slowly and does not involve leakage or bleeding.
E Terms starting with E
Epiretinal Membrane (ERM)
A thin, transparent layer of scar tissue that forms on the surface of the retina and can contract, wrinkling the macula and causing blurred or distorted central vision. Also called macular pucker.
F Terms starting with F
Fluorescein Angiography
A diagnostic test in which a fluorescent dye is injected into a vein and photographs are taken as the dye passes through retinal blood vessels. It reveals leakage, blockages, and abnormal vessel growth.
Fundus
The interior back surface of the eye, visible through the pupil. It includes the retina, optic disc, macula, and blood vessels. Doctors examine the fundus to diagnose and monitor retinal diseases.
G Terms starting with G
Geographic Atrophy
An advanced form of dry AMD in which patches of retinal cells and their supporting layers degenerate, leading to progressive loss of central vision. Newer treatments can help slow its expansion.
I Terms starting with I
Intravitreal Injection
A procedure in which medication is injected directly into the vitreous gel inside the eye. It is the standard delivery method for anti-VEGF drugs and steroids used to treat many retinal conditions.
L Terms starting with L
Laser Photocoagulation
A treatment that uses a focused beam of light to seal leaking blood vessels, destroy abnormal tissue, or secure retinal tears. It is used in diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, and some cases of macular edema.
M Terms starting with M
Macula
The small, central area of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed central vision. Damage to the macula affects tasks like reading and recognizing faces, but does not cause total blindness.
Macular Hole
A small break or defect in the center of the macula that causes blurred or distorted central vision. It often requires vitrectomy surgery to close the hole and improve vision.
Macular Pucker
Another name for an epiretinal membrane (ERM). Scar tissue on the retinal surface wrinkles the macula, causing visual distortion. Surgery is considered if vision is significantly affected.
Microaneurysm
Tiny, balloon-like swellings in the walls of retinal blood vessels, often one of the earliest signs of diabetic retinopathy. They can leak fluid or blood, leading to retinal swelling.
N Terms starting with N
Neovascularization
The abnormal growth of new blood vessels, often in response to retinal ischemia (poor blood flow). In the retina, these vessels are fragile and prone to leakage and bleeding, as seen in wet AMD and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
O Terms starting with O
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
A non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to capture high-resolution cross-sectional images of the retina. It is essential for diagnosing and monitoring macular holes, edema, AMD, and many other conditions.
P Terms starting with P
Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP)
A laser treatment applied to the peripheral retina in widespread patterns. It reduces the risk of severe vision loss in proliferative diabetic retinopathy by shrinking abnormal blood vessels and decreasing VEGF production.
Pars Plana
A specific region of the eye wall just behind the iris and ciliary body. It is the safe entry site for instruments during vitrectomy surgery and for intravitreal injections.
PDR (Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy)
An advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy in which oxygen-deprived retinal tissue stimulates the growth of abnormal new blood vessels. These fragile vessels can bleed into the vitreous or cause tractional retinal detachment, leading to severe vision loss if untreated.
Peripheral Vision
The ability to see objects and movement outside the direct line of sight. It is produced by the outer portions of the retina and is important for navigation and detecting motion.
Photopsia
Brief flashes or arcs of light perceived in the visual field, typically in the periphery. They are caused by mechanical stimulation of the retina — most commonly when the vitreous gel tugs on the retinal surface. New or worsening photopsia warrants prompt dilated eye examination.
Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)
A natural, age-related process in which the vitreous gel shrinks and separates from the retinal surface. It typically causes new floaters and brief flashes of light. Most cases are benign, but a retinal tear can occur as a complication, so prompt evaluation is essential.
R Terms starting with R
Retina
The light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye. It converts light into electrical signals that travel through the optic nerve to the brain, enabling vision.
Retinal Detachment
A serious condition in which the retina separates from the underlying tissue that nourishes it. It causes symptoms like floaters, flashes, and a shadow or curtain over vision, requiring urgent surgical repair.
Retinal Tear
A break or rip in the retina, often caused by the vitreous gel pulling on the retina as it shrinks with age. Tears can lead to retinal detachment and are usually sealed with laser or cryotherapy.
S Terms starting with S
Sclera
The white, tough outer layer of the eye that provides structural support and protection. It is sometimes called the “white of the eye.”
Scleral Buckle
A surgical procedure in which a silicone band is placed around the outside of the eye to gently indent the sclera toward a detached retina, helping the retina reattach. It is often combined with cryotherapy or laser.
Subretinal Fluid
Fluid that accumulates beneath the retina, separating it from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium. It occurs in retinal detachment, wet AMD, and central serous retinopathy, causing visual symptoms.
T Terms starting with T
Traction
Pulling force exerted on the retina, usually by the shrinking vitreous gel or scar tissue. Traction can distort vision, cause retinal tears, or contribute to macular hole and epiretinal membrane formation.
V Terms starting with V
Vitrectomy
A surgical procedure that removes the vitreous gel from the eye so the surgeon can repair retinal problems such as detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, or vitreous hemorrhage.
Vitreous Hemorrhage
Bleeding into the vitreous gel, often caused by abnormal or damaged retinal blood vessels. It can cause sudden vision loss or floaters and may require observation, laser, or vitrectomy depending on severity.
Vitreous Humor
The clear, gel-like substance that fills the back chamber of the eye between the lens and the retina. It maintains the shape of the eye and shrinks with age, sometimes leading to floaters or retinal traction.
Vitreomacular Traction (VMT)
A condition in which the vitreous gel fails to separate cleanly from the macula and remains attached, pulling on the central retina and causing blurred or distorted central vision (metamorphopsia). Diagnosed by OCT. Treatment options include observation, ocriplasmin (Jetrea) injection, or vitrectomy.
W Terms starting with W
Wet AMD
A form of age-related macular degeneration in which abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid or blood, causing rapid central vision loss. It is treated primarily with anti-VEGF injections.
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When in Doubt, Ask Your Specialist
Medical terminology can be confusing. If you do not understand a term used during your visit, ask your retina specialist or care team to explain it in plain language. Understanding your condition helps you take an active role in your care.