Retina & Diabetic Eye Care
Pacific Eye Associates offers comprehensive retinal care for patients with a range of retinal conditions. Our retina specialists provide both medical and surgical management of retinal disease, including in-office treatments and procedures.
Supporting vision through early detection & expert care.
Early detection helps manage retinal conditions.
In this Page
What Is the Retina?
The retina is a thin layer of light-sensitive cells lining the back of the eye. When light enters the eye, it passes through the clear, gel-like substance that fills the eye’s interior (vitreous) before reaching the retina. The retina then converts that light into signals that travel to the brain through the optic nerve, allowing us to see.
Conditions We Treat
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related Macular Degeneration is a chronic condition that causes gradual deterioration of the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp and detailed vision. AMD does not typically affect peripheral vision, and occurs in two forms — dry and wet.
Dry AMD
(More common, gradual progression)
Small deposits called drusen build up beneath the retina, gradually affecting the macula’s function.
Wet AMD
(Less common, rapid progression)
Abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid, causing sudden vision changes.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that damages the blood vessels in the retina. Elevated blood sugar over time can cause these vessels to swell, leak, or close off — and in some cases, abnormal new vessels may grow. If you are diabetic, watch for floaters, blurred vision, dark areas in your vision, or difficulty distinguishing colors. Early stages often have no symptoms, making routine screening essential for patients with diabetes.
Managing diabetic retinopathy involves coordinating with your primary care provider or endocrinologist on blood sugar control, alongside regular monitoring by a retinal specialist.
Retinal Detachment / Retinal Tear
The vitreous (the gel filling the eye) can shrink with age and pull away from the retina, sometimes causing a tear. If fluid passes through the tear and lifts the retina from underlying tissue, a detachment occurs. This is a medical urgency and requires prompt evaluation.
If you experienced a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a curtain-like shadow across your vision, please call our office at (415) 923-3007. If it's after hours or you can't reach us, please call 911.
Macular Pucker / Macular Hole
Changes in the vitreous with age can cause the macula to develop scar tissue on its surface (macular pucker) or a small break in its center (macular hole), affecting the clarity and accuracy of central vision.
Symptoms may include blurry or distorted central vision, with straight lines appearing wavy or bent.
Symptoms to Watch For
Retinal conditions can affect vision in different ways. Some develop gradually, while others signal a medical urgency requiring immediate evaluation.
Seek Care Right Away
These symptoms can indicate retinal detachment and require prompt evaluation. Call our office immediately at (415) 923-3007, or 911 if calling after hours or you can’t reach us.
Sudden Floaters
Flashes of Light
Dark Curtaining
Loss of Peripheral Vision
General Symptoms
These changes are still worth an evaluation, but typically don’t require same-day emergency care.
Blurred Vision
Fuzzy Central Vision
Dark Blind Spots
Distortion of straight lines
Difficulty of distinguishing colors
Treatments
- In-Office Treatments — Including intravitreal injections and laser treatments for retinal tears, diabetic eye disease, and vascular conditions.
- Vitrectomy — Surgery to treat more complex retinal conditions, including retinal detachment, macular holes, and vitreous hemorrhage.
- VALEDA® Light Therapy — A non-invasive treatment option that uses a series of low-level light sessions to improve and maintain visual acuity in candidates with early-stage dry AMD
Have questions or ready to schedule?
Our retina specialists are available for both new patient consultations and ongoing care.
Meet Our Retina Specialists
Our surgeons combine advanced training with a patient-first approach, taking the time to understand your vision goals and guide you through your options with clarity and care.
Our Approach to Retinal Care
Retinal conditions are often progressive and typically require ongoing monitoring rather than a single treatment. Our specialists tailor evaluation and treatment to each patient’s clinical findings and risk factors.
If you have a family history of retinal disease or notice any changes in your vision, it’s worth scheduling an evaluation — regular dilated eye exams are recommended even without symptoms.
