Retina Disease Care

Why choose UCLA Health for retina disease care?

Our retina disease specialists provide a wide range of services for patients with conditions affecting the retina, the inside lining of the eye that allows you to see. As part of the team at UCLA Health Stein Eye Institute and Doheny Eye Centers, our specialists rank fifth in the nation in ophthalmology care, as listed by U.S. News & World Report.

Highlights of our program include:

Research focus: Our specialists are active researchers, continually learning and researching new treatment options. This research emphasis allows eligible patients access to new and promising treatments through clinical trials. For example, through our Vision Rehabilitation Center, we've led studies to customize robotic devices that assist patients with low vision.

Coordinated care: Many diseases that affect the eyes involve care from multiple specialists. We work closely with other physicians, such as those in ophthalmic genetics, endocrinology or oncology, to provide comprehensive, coordinated care.

Teaching and training: We train residents and fellows and draw international audiences with our teaching courses. When you choose our team, you are choosing recognized, highly trained experts.

Our areas of care

Retinal disease specialists offer a wide range of services. We treat patients through several centers and programs.

Diabetic eye disease

We offer comprehensive eye care to people with diabetes through the Diabetic Eye Disease and Retinal Vascular Center. Our specialists work closely with other experts to ensure you receive comprehensive care. A research focus allows us to continually expand treatment options, offering you the most effective therapies.

Macular disease

We research and treat macular degeneration through the Macular Disease Center. Patients in the Center may be eligible for new treatments through clinical trials. Our specialists work closely with experts in the Vision Rehabilitation Center to help people with low vision increase function and maximize their quality of life.

Ophthalmic genetics

Our physicians have rare, specialized expertise in eye disorders with genetic factors. We use every necessary tool to diagnose genetic eye conditions, including new techniques available through clinical trials. Our ophthalmic genetics physicians have the advanced expertise required to interpret these tests, ensuring that we provide accurate, detailed diagnoses.

Ophthalmic oncology

Specialists in the Ophthalmic Oncology Center research, diagnose and treat eye tumors. The Center has served as a hub for national, longstanding studies to research eye cancers. We partner with specialists in UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center to deliver team-based, comprehensive care.

Vision rehabilitation

If you have low vision, you may benefit from treatment within the Vision Rehabilitation Center. We offer assistive devices or digital technology to increase your vision ability. When appropriate, we can refer you to occupational therapy to provide further assistance with independent living.

Retinal diseases we treat

We treat a comprehensive range of diseases that affect the retina. Some of the most common conditions we treat include:

Diabetic retinopathy: Damage to blood vessels in the eyes that can lead to vision loss and possibly blindness

Epiretinal membrane: Also referred to as “macular pucker” causes blurry or distorted vision. It is a very thin layer of scar tissue that grows over the macula (part of the retina) in the back of the eye. Surgery stops the worsening, and can result in improvement

Inherited retinal disorders: A group of genetic disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa, that causes cell breakdown in the retina

Macular degeneration: A condition that causes blurred vision and vision loss, either due to leaky blood vessels or a deteriorating retina

Macular hole: A small hole in the center of the light-sensitive eye tissue (retina) that causes blurred or distorted vision

Retinal detachment: A medical emergency that occurs when the layer of tissue in the back of the eye (retina) pulls away from supporting tissues and blood vessels

Retinal tear: A small break in the retina, often due to traumatic injury, aging or eye surgery

Treatments we offer:

Our retinal disease specialists offer a comprehensive range of treatments, including:

Intravitreal injections: Injects medications directly into the vitreous, a jelly-like fluid near the retina at the back of the eye, to control infection, inflammation, diabetic retinopathy symptoms or certain types of age-related macular degeneration

Laser surgery: Uses a laser to heat small parts of the retina and repair a retinal tear

Pneumatic retinopexy: Injects gas or air into the eye to treat retinal detachment

Retinal reattachment: Surgically reattaches the retina to the back of the eye

Scatter laser photocoagulation: Reduces blood vessel leakage in the retina and prevents new blood vessels from forming, often used to treat retinal vascular disease such as diabetic retinopathy

Scleral buckling: Attaches a piece of silicone material to the eye's surface to relieve the pulling of retinal detachment

Vitrectomy: Removes the jelly-like substance (vitreous gel) inside the eye and replaces it with air, gas or liquid. This procedure may be used during treatment for a retinal tear or detachment, diabetic retinopathy, macular hole or eye trauma.

Meet our team

Our retina disease team includes doctors who research and treat retina disease, as well as train the next generation of leaders. We offer comprehensive, advanced treatment for a spectrum of retina diseases.