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Treatments

Modern retina treatments offer effective options for many conditions. Learn about the procedures used to preserve and restore vision.

Virtually painless with numbing drops

Intravitreal Injections

Medications injected directly into the eye to treat conditions like AMD and diabetic retinopathy.
Performed in office setting

Laser Photocoagulation

Focused laser beams to seal leaking blood vessels or create scar tissue to prevent retinal detachment.
Outpatient procedure

Vitrectomy

Surgical removal of the vitreous gel to access and treat the retina.

How Retina Treatments Work

Anti-VEGF Therapy

Anti-VEGF drugs block a protein that causes abnormal blood vessel growth. By reducing this growth factor, these medications help:

  • • Stop leakage from abnormal vessels
  • • Reduce swelling in the macula
  • • Slow vision loss
  • • In some cases, improve vision

Laser Therapy

Precision lasers can:

  • • Seal leaking blood vessels
  • • Destroy abnormal vessels
  • • Create adhesion between retina layers
  • • Prevent progression of disease

Related Resources

Surgery Overview

Learn more about retinal surgery options and what to expect.

Post-Operative Care

Guidelines for recovery and aftercare following retinal procedures.

References

  1. American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS). Intravitreal Injections. Patient Education. Available at: https://www.asrs.org/patients/retinal-diseases/2/intravitreal-injection
  2. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Laser Photocoagulation for Diabetic Retinopathy. EyeWiki. Available at: https://eyewiki.aao.org/Laser_Photocoagulation_for_Diabetic_Retinopathy
  3. National Eye Institute (NEI). Vitrectomy Surgery. NEI Health Information. Available at: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/vitrectomy
  4. Holz FG, et al. Anti-VEGF therapies for retinal diseases. Ophthalmologica. 2022;245(4):305-316.
  5. Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. Randomized trial evaluating ranibizumab plus prompt or deferred laser or triamcinolone plus prompt laser for diabetic macular edema. Ophthalmology. 2010;117(6):1064-1077.