A combination of intravitreal injection of Lucentis (ranibizumab) plus laser has just been proven to be a new and more effective treatment for diabetic macular edema. For the past 25 years, laser photocoagulation (aka laser treatment) has been the mainstay for this most common complication of diabetic retinopathy. The new treatment involves Lucentis, the anti-VEGF … [Read more...]
Retina Surgery is “Same Day” Surgery
April 26, 2010 By 2 Comments
Retinal eye surgery, either vitrectomy or scleral buckle, is usually performed while the patient is awake and as an outpatient, allowing you to go home the "same day." Usually, there is absolutely no pain with retina surgery and recovery takes place in the comfort of your own home. In most cases, operations are performed under "local sedation." This term varies, … [Read more...]
Optometry Student’s First Retinal Surgery
April 21, 2010 By 2 Comments
Optometry students frequently rotate through our office. One of our visiting students had the chance to watch me in the operating room. I asked her to write about the experience... Hello, My name is Maggie, and I’m a fourth year student at the SUNY College of Optometry in NYC. I had the opportunity to observe retinal surgeries with Dr Wong in the OR, and it … [Read more...]
Gas Injection for Retinal Detachments
April 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Injecting gas into the eye, called pneumatic retinopexy, is the fourth way to fix retinal detachments. Other methods include Scleral Buckle Vitrectomy Eye Surgery Combination of Scleral Buckle and Vitrectomy Gas Injection This procedure is performed in the office. Similar to other intraocular injections, except gas is introduced into the eye instead of … [Read more...]
Vitrectomy Surgery for Retinal Detachments
April 16, 2010 By 13 Comments
Vitrectomy eye surgery for repair of a retinal detachment can be an alternative or adjunct to scleral buckle. Vitrectomy surgery involves the removal of the vitreous from the eye. This procedure was introduced (i.e. invented) in the mid-1970's and enhanced our ability to treat retinal detachments. Retinal Tears Cause Retinal Detachments Remember that the culprit in … [Read more...]
Scleral Buckle Surgery for Retinal Detachment
April 14, 2010 By 205 Comments
A scleral buckle is one of several ways to "fix" a retinal detachment. Other ways include vitrectomy eye surgery as well as a combination of scleral buckle and vitrectomy. An office procedure, called pneumatic retinopexy, is sometimes used as well. Scleral Buckles are "Oldies But Goodies" The scleral buckle has been employed for about 75 years. The principle behind a … [Read more...]
Sustained Release; Ozurdex Now Treats Diabetic Macular Edema?
April 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Ozurdex, a sustained release drug delivery system, may soon be used to treat diabetic macular edema. The sustained release intravitreal implant has been tested, with favorable results, for possible use in treating the common retinal swelling caused by diabetes. Results were published recently in the March issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology. Ozurdex was FDA … [Read more...]
Avastin Versus Lucentis; And the Winner Is…
April 2, 2010 By 1 Comment
Both Avastin and Lucentis are anti-VEGF treatments for wet macular degeneration. Both are manufactured by Genentech (Roche). A small study just (February 2010, Ophthalmology) published found no clinical difference between the two drugs, that is, one worked as well as the other. There has been quite a debate over the difference between the two drugs and their ability to … [Read more...]
