The Retina Center

at Delaware Eye Institute

What is the Retina?

The retina is the membrane that lines the inside of the eye. Think of it like film in a camera. Images are captured on the retina, encoded, and then sent to the brain via the optic nerve. Attached to certain areas of the retina is the vitreous, a gel-like substance that fills the inside of the eye, giving it shape and volume. Image on right

Machine that scans the retina. Advanced Technology.
Closeup of an eye being scanned

Why Treatment?

Many retinal diseases share common symptoms and treatments, but each has unique characteristics. The goal of retinal disease treatments is to stop or slow disease progression and preserve, improve or restore vision.

We perform thefollowing retinal tests:

  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that produces high resolution cross-sectional tomographs (or pictures) of the retina.
  • Fluorescein Angiogram: A fluorescein angiogram is a sophisticated test used to examine the retina. To begin the test, dye is injected into a vein.
  • Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG): Indocyanine green angiography (ICG) is a test similar to a fluorescein angiogram. This dye, after injected, circulates in the blood stream and makes its way to the blood vessels underneath the retina.
  • Ultrasound: B-scan ultrasonography is a non-invasive diagnostic test we use to examine the eyeball when we cannot see into the back of the eye.
schedule an appointment

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness in older Americans. There are two types: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration.Dry macular degeneration is diagnosed when drusen (deposits)accumulate under the retina. This causes the vision to dim or be distorted. Most people notice this more when they read. In the advanced stages the loss of the central vision can occur.

Sometimes, drusen can lead to the development of new blood vessels under the retina. These new blood vessels leak fluid and blood under the retina. If this leakage occurs in the center of the retina, or macula, our vision becomes blurry, this is known as wet macular degeneration.

Diagram showing the effects of macular degeneration

Is Treatment Available?

We can treat dry macular degeneration with special vitamins to help prevent the development of wet macular degeneration. We have three options with which to treat wet macular degeneration:

  • Traditional thermal laser therapy
  • Steroid injections
  • Anti-VEGF injections, that include: Lucentis, Avastin, and Eylea

What is Wet Macular Degeneration?

Although only about 10% of people with macular degeneration develop the wet form, they make up the majority of those who experience serious vision loss from the disease. It is very important for people with macular degeneration to monitor their eyesight carefully and see their ophthalmologist on a regular basis.

Diabetic Retinopathy

NON-PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

This form of diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, the walls of the blood vessels in your retina weaken.

Diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina. These damaged vessels then leak fluid or blood into the retina. This the most common type of diabetic retinopathy.

PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

As diabetic retinopathy progresses, new blood vessels may grow and threaten your vision. Because the new blood vessels are weak they can break open and cause blood or fluid to leak into the middle part of your eye in front of your retina and cause a significant change in your vision.

Is treatment available for Diabetic Retinopathy?

  • Any diabetic who has blurred vision, flashes or floaters should be seen promptly by his/her eye care specialist.
  • Laser surgery may be recommended
  • If a retinal detachment or vitreous hemorrhage occurs because of the weakened vessels, surgery can be done to fix these problems.
Diagram showing effects of diabetic retinopathy

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT CAUSES RETINAL DAMAGE?

Retinal damages,while common, are typically less well-known than other ocular diseases. That said, the best way to prevent or detect retinal damage or disease is to visit your eye doctor regularly for examination.Several factors can damage the retina, including (but not limited to):

  • Eye disease
  • Trauma to the eye
  • Environmental factors (e.g. solar radiation/staring at the sun)

IS TREATMENT AVAILABLE?

When the retina is damaged from disease or injury, vision loss occurs. Most times, this vision loss may not be restored by treatments. Doctors can always do their best to stop or slow progression of a disease, however. This means that, when caught early on, most retinal disease is manageable and vision loss can be minimal.

Do I need to know anything important before seeing a Retina Specialist?

If you’re having a Retina specialist appointment, it's helpful to keep these things in mind.

The entire appointment, including waiting time between tests, may take up to 2 hours (or longer). Please prepare yourself and your driver or companion for this. Time spent at this appointment is not wasted time, it is an investment in your eye health.

  • Your appointment time for the visit with your doctor may include several tests
  • These tests may take 10-20 minutes each (depending on the test)
  • The doctor will take the necessary amount of time, depending on the problem, and includes a thorough examination of your eyes and an explanation of the results of your tests and examination.
  • All treatment options will be explained and arranged for you after discussion

Appointments with a specialist can be time-sensitive.   The doctor may have ordered that you be examined within a specific time frame so as not to allow disease progression.  If you cannot keep this appointment, please contact the office as soon as possible. 

The Retina Center Doctors

Ways to Pay
Request an Appointment
Order Contacts
302-645-2300

Our Location

18791 John J Williams Hwy
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 19971
Hours
HOURS
Mon & Tues: 8:00am-5:00pm
Wed: 8:00am-4:30pm
Thurs: 8:00am-4:00pm
Fri: 8:00am-3:00pm

OPTICAL HOURS
Mon-Thurs: 9:00am-5:00pm
Fri: 9:00am-3:00pm