Retina and Macular Disease

The Center for Retinal and Macular Diseases and Surgery treats all conditions affecting the retina, vitreous and choroid. This specialty area offers consultation and surgical treatment for conditions of the retinal, choroidal and macular diseases, including retinal detachment, ocular tumors, uveitis, endophthalmitis, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, intraocular foreign bodies and inherited retinal degenerations.

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University are leaders in basic science research of retinal degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Though not reversible, our team of scientists and clinicians are currently working on novel research initiatives to help identify early events that lead to these conditions and the contributors to these common diseases. With that, in addition to conventional treatment approaches, patients also have opportunities to participate in clinical trials offering pioneering therapeutics.

For Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness. When it occurs, it creates a vision-impairing condition called diabetic retinopathy. In Cuyahoga County, 1 in 13 residents are afflicted with diabetic retinopathy and the number continues to grow. Each year you live with diabetes increases your chances of developing diabetic retinopathy.

Our retina specialists are skilled to detect the early stages of the disease, where for most, appears without any vision loss or outward symptoms. Through a comprehensive vision screening exam with dilation, we are able to see the back of the eye which reflects any changes, swelling or fluid deposits that signal either non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

For Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

For most, the tell-tale sign to identify macular degeneration, which has a typical onset around the age of 50, is when detailed objects begin to look blurred and distorted or a blind spot appears in the field of vision. There are two classes of macular degeneration: wet and dry. Dry form manifests in a gradual manner. The wet form can be of rapid onset and sometimes can result in severe visual loss. You may suddenly notice lines look crooked – and it is imperative to seek medical treatment immediately as some therapies may be able to lessen the loss of your central vision. Our ophthalmologists are trained to detect macular degeneration during your annual vision screening exam; and we’ll work with you to prescribe the right treatment for you to slow down central vision loss.