Your Vision
In Expert Hands

NERA's fellowship-trained retina specialists treat the full spectrum of retinal and vitreous conditions. Whether you have been referred by your eye doctor or are seeking care on your own, every NERA location is equipped to evaluate and treat the following conditions.

Macular & Degenerative Conditions

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD) — The most common cause of central vision loss in adults over 50, caused by the gradual breakdown of light-sensitive cells in the macula. NERA physicians monitor dry AMD closely and guide patients through evidence-based management, including nutritional supplementation and regular retinal imaging.
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Wet AMD) — An advanced and more rapidly progressing form in which abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina, leaking fluid and damaging central vision. Anti-VEGF injections are the primary treatment for wet AMD and are highly effective when started early.
• Geographic Atrophy — An advanced stage of dry AMD involving the progressive loss of retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor cells. FDA-approved treatments for geographic atrophy are now available, and NERA physicians are actively involved in clinical research for this condition.
• Macular Hole — A small break in the center of the macula that causes blurred or distorted central vision. Vitrectomy surgery is the primary treatment and achieves high closure rates in appropriately selected patients.
• Macular Pucker (Epiretinal Membrane) — A thin layer of scar tissue that forms on the surface of the macula, causing central vision to appear distorted or wrinkled. Observation is appropriate for mild cases; vitrectomy is recommended when vision is meaningfully affected.
• Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR) — A condition in which fluid accumulates beneath the retina, typically affecting younger to middle-aged adults and often associated with stress or corticosteroid use. Many cases resolve on their own; chronic or recurrent cases may benefit from photodynamic therapy or laser treatment.
• Macular Telangiectasia — A rare condition involving abnormal capillaries near the center of the macula. NERA physicians monitor for progression and provide treatment when neovascular complications develop.

Diabetic & Vascular Conditions

• Diabetic Retinopathy — Progressive damage to the blood vessels of the retina caused by long-standing diabetes. One of the leading causes of vision loss in working-age adults in the United States; early detection and treatment can substantially reduce the risk of permanent vision impairment.
• Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) — A complication of diabetic retinopathy in which fluid accumulates in the macula, causing central vision to blur or become distorted. Anti-VEGF injections are effective for many patients with DME, and other treatment options are available when needed.
• Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO / CRVO) — A blockage of the veins that drain blood from the retina, leading to bleeding, swelling, and vision loss. Both branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) are evaluated and treated at NERA.
• Retinal Artery Occlusion — A sudden blockage of the artery supplying the retina, often presenting as painless, rapid vision loss in one eye. Retinal artery occlusion is a retinal emergency requiring prompt evaluation. NERA accepts urgent and emergent referrals.

Structural & Emergency Conditions

• Retinal Detachment — A medical emergency in which the retina separates from the underlying tissue. Warning signs include a sudden increase in floaters, flashing lights, or a dark curtain across your vision. NERA handles retinal emergencies and accepts urgent referrals from emergency rooms and eye care providers.
• Retinal Tears — A tear in the retina that can progress to a full detachment if left untreated. Laser retinopexy or cryoretinopexy can seal a tear and prevent further complications in most cases.
• Horseshoe Tear — A specific type of retinal tear caused by vitreous traction on the retina, characterized by a horseshoe shape. Prompt treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of detachment.
• Floaters and Flashes — Most floaters are benign and related to normal changes in the vitreous gel. However, a sudden onset of new floaters, light flashes, or a shadow in your vision warrants prompt evaluation to rule out a retinal tear or detachment.
• Complications After Cataract Surgery — Retinal complications following cataract surgery — including cystoid macular edema, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, or a dislocated intraocular lens — require subspecialty retinal care. NERA physicians evaluate and manage a full range of post-cataract retinal complications and can perform scleral-fixated IOL implantation when needed.

Inflammatory & Other Conditions

• Uveitis (Posterior / Panuveitis) — Inflammation involving the retina, vitreous, or choroid that can lead to serious vision loss if inadequately treated. NERA's Dr. John Huang holds dedicated fellowship training in uveitis and ocular immunology from Harvard University and coordinates care with rheumatology and other specialists when systemic disease is involved.
• Intraocular Tumors — Abnormal growths within the eye that require specialized imaging and evaluation. NERA physicians assess lesion characteristics carefully and coordinate with ocular oncology specialists when appropriate.
• Central Serous Chorioretinopathy — Fluid accumulation between the retina and retinal pigment epithelium, most often in middle-aged patients. NERA physicians manage both acute and chronic presentations with monitoring, photodynamic therapy, or laser treatment as indicated.

NERA provides a comprehensive range of medical and surgical retinal treatments. Every treatment plan is determined by your physician based on your specific diagnosis, the severity of your condition, your treatment history, and your overall health. Results vary by individual; your NERA physician will discuss the most appropriate approach for your situation.

Injection Therapies

Intravitreal (in-the-eye) injections are the most widely used treatment in retina medicine today. Anti-VEGF medications reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid leakage in the retina and are the cornerstone of treatment for wet AMD, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusions. NERA physicians use all leading anti-VEGF agents, including:

• Aflibercept (Eylea)
• Faricimab (Vabysmo)
• Bevacizumab (Avastin)
• Ranibizumab (Lucentis)

Your doctor will recommend the most appropriate medication based on your condition and how your retina responds over time. In some cases, steroid injections — including intravitreal triamcinolone or sustained-release implants — are used to reduce inflammation and fluid in conditions such as uveitis, macular edema, and certain retinal vein occlusions.

Laser Treatments

• Focal and Grid Laser — Targets specific areas of fluid leakage in the macula, used for select cases of diabetic macular edema and other macular conditions.
• Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP) — A broad laser treatment applied to the peripheral retina to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth in proliferative diabetic retinopathy and other advanced retinal diseases.
• Laser Retinopexy — Creates small laser burns around a retinal tear to form a seal, preventing fluid from passing beneath the retina and progressing to detachment.
• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) — A light-activated treatment in which a photosensitizing medication is administered intravenously and then activated by a low-energy laser. Used for certain types of wet AMD and chronic central serous retinopathy.
• Transscleral Diode Laser (Non-Thermal) — A specialized, non-thermal infrared laser approach available at NERA for specific retinal conditions where conventional thermal laser is not appropriate.

Surgical Procedures

• Pars Plana Vitrectomy — A microsurgical procedure in which the vitreous gel is carefully removed from inside the eye and replaced with a clear solution or gas bubble. Vitrectomy is the primary surgical treatment for retinal detachments, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, diabetic vitreous hemorrhage, and severe vision-impairing floaters. It is also used to manage complex retinal complications following cataract surgery.
• Scleral Buckle — A surgical repair technique for retinal detachment in which a soft silicone band is sutured around the outside of the eye to gently push the eye wall inward and support the detached retina. Often used in combination with vitrectomy or as a standalone procedure for appropriate cases.
• Pneumatic Retinopexy — An office-based procedure for select retinal detachments involving injection of a small gas bubble into the eye, followed by specific head positioning to allow the bubble to press against and reattach the retina. No operating room visit is required for this procedure.
• Cryoretinopexy — Uses a precisely controlled application of extreme cold to create a scar that seals retinal tears and prevents fluid from passing beneath the retina. Often used in combination with scleral buckling or pneumatic retinopexy.
• Scleral-Fixated IOL Implantation — A specialized surgical technique to anchor an intraocular lens to the scleral wall of the eye when the natural lens capsule is absent or damaged. Most often needed after complicated cataract surgery or trauma in which a standard IOL cannot be supported.

An accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective retinal care. NERA uses advanced imaging technology to detect retinal disease at its earliest stages, monitor changes over time, and guide treatment decisions with precision. Most of these tests are quick, non-invasive, and completed in the office during your visit — no hospital trip required.

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) — The most widely used retinal imaging tool in modern practice, OCT creates detailed, cross-sectional images of the retina's layers at near-microscopic resolution, revealing fluid accumulation, structural changes, and early signs of disease. The scan is completely non-invasive, requires no contact with the eye, and takes only seconds. OCT imaging is used at virtually every NERA visit and is essential for monitoring treatment response.
• OCT Angiography (OCTA) — An advanced extension of OCT that maps blood vessel flow in the retina and choroid without requiring any dye injection. OCT angiography is particularly valuable for monitoring wet AMD, diabetic eye disease, retinal vein occlusions, and other vascular conditions. Like standard OCT, it is non-invasive and takes only minutes.
• Wide-Field Retinal Imaging — Captures a panoramic photograph documenting a far greater area of the retinal surface than traditional fundus cameras. Wide-field imaging is especially useful for detecting peripheral retinal disease, staging diabetic retinopathy, identifying retinal tears, and creating a baseline record of retinal health. The test is brief, non-invasive, and involves only a bright flash of light.
• Fluorescein Angiography (FA) — A dye-based imaging test in which fluorescein — a bright yellow dye — is administered through a small intravenous injection and then photographed as it circulates through the retinal blood vessels. Fluorescein angiography reveals leaking vessels, areas of blockage, and abnormal vascular growth with a level of detail not possible with standard photography. Skin and urine may appear temporarily yellowish after the test; this resolves on its own within hours.
• Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG) — Similar in principle to fluorescein angiography but uses a different infrared-absorbing dye to visualize the deeper choroidal blood vessels beneath the retina. ICG angiography provides critical information in conditions such as central serous retinopathy, certain presentations of AMD, and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, where the standard FA alone may not provide a complete picture.
• Ophthalmic Ultrasound (B-Scan) — Uses high-frequency sound waves to image the interior of the eye, particularly when the view through the front of the eye is blocked by a dense cataract, vitreous hemorrhage, or other opacity. Ultrasound is also used to evaluate the vitreous and peripheral retina and to assess suspected intraocular tumors. A small probe is placed gently on the closed eyelid; the test is entirely painless.
• Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) — A specialized imaging technique that measures the natural fluorescence of the retinal pigment epithelium, revealing areas of cell damage or dysfunction. FAF is particularly useful for monitoring geographic atrophy, inherited retinal dystrophies, and other conditions affecting the outer retina and RPE.
• Genetic Testing — Identifies genetic variants associated with inherited retinal diseases such as Stargardt disease, Best disease, retinitis pigmentosa, and choroideremia. Genetic test results can confirm a diagnosis, guide prognosis, assist with family planning, and identify patients who may be candidates for gene-based therapies currently in development. Testing typically involves a simple blood draw or cheek swab; results are usually available within a few weeks.