I have been under Dr Verter's care for a couple years after a torn retina. He and his team in Westport have been rockstars! Kudos to all!!! 👏👏👏👏
Preparing for Your Retina Appointment
What to Know Before Your Visit to New England Retina Associates
A visit to a retina specialist is different from a routine eye exam. Whether you have been referred by your optometrist or ophthalmologist, or you are scheduling a follow-up for an existing condition, knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident and prepared. At New England Retina Associates, we see patients for a range of retina-related visits, from comprehensive diagnostic evaluations to intravitreal injections and surgical procedures. This guide walks you through the most common types of appointments and how to prepare for each one.
A retina specialist is a medical doctor who has completed extensive training beyond medical school and general ophthalmology. After four years of medical school, a year of medical or surgical internship, and three years of ophthalmology residency, a retina specialist completes an additional one to two years of fellowship training focused exclusively on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the retina and vitreous. The retina is the thin layer of tissue lining the back of the eye that converts light into the signals your brain interprets as vision.
All four physicians at New England Retina Associates are fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeons. NERA also operates an on-site vitreoretinal surgery fellowship program, training the next generation of retina specialists, which reflects the academic depth and clinical rigor of the practice.
Retina specialists diagnose and treat conditions that can threaten your central and peripheral vision if left undetected or untreated. According to the National Eye Institute, approximately 20 million Americans aged 40 and older have some form of age-related macular degeneration, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that one in three people with diabetes will develop some degree of diabetic retinopathy. Some of the most common conditions treated at a retina practice include:
- Age-related macular degeneration, including both dry and wet forms
- Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema
- Retinal tears and retinal detachments
- Macular hole and macular pucker
- Retinal vein occlusion
- Uveitis, floaters, and other retinal conditions
Most patients arrive at a retina practice through a referral from their optometrist or general ophthalmologist, though we also welcome self-referred patients and retinal emergencies. Your referring doctor may have noticed something during a routine exam that warrants further evaluation, such as changes in your retinal imaging, new symptoms like sudden floaters or flashes of light, or unexplained vision changes. In some cases, a primary care physician or endocrinologist may refer you if you have diabetes or another systemic condition that affects the eyes.
Being referred to a retina specialist does not necessarily mean you have a serious problem. It means your doctor wants a more detailed evaluation of your retina by someone with specialized training and advanced diagnostic technology. Many conditions are highly treatable when identified early.
New England Retina Associates has provided retina-only care throughout Connecticut for 30 years, with four offices serving patients across Fairfield County and New Haven County. Our four fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeons bring specialized depth across the full range of retinal conditions, from complex surgical cases to ongoing injection therapy and long-term monitoring. Patients from communities including New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, Greenwich, and the surrounding areas rely on NERA for specialized retina care at a location convenient to them.
NERA is also an active clinical trial site, giving eligible patients access to emerging therapies and the latest advances in retinal medicine. The practice has earned more than 2,000 five-star Google reviews across its locations, with a team of 40-plus staff members supporting the four physicians.
Preparing for Your First Diagnostic Visit
Coming prepared helps your appointment run smoothly and ensures your retina specialist has the information needed to make an accurate assessment. Before your visit, gather the following:
- A list of all current medications, including eye drops, supplements, and over-the-counter products
- Your medical history, including conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders, or a history of stroke
- Your family history of eye disease, particularly macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, or retinal detachment
- Your current glasses or contact lens prescription
- The name and contact information of your referring doctor
- Your insurance card and a valid photo ID
- Any recent imaging or test results from your referring provider, if they were given to you directly
A first visit to a retina specialist is typically more thorough than a standard eye exam. Plan for your appointment to last between one and three hours, depending on the complexity of your situation and the diagnostic tests your doctor determines are necessary. Follow-up visits are generally shorter, though the length can vary depending on whether imaging or treatment is involved.
If you are traveling from areas such as Wallingford, Shelton, Westport, or Old Greenwich, consider scheduling your visit at the NERA office most convenient to you. All four locations offer the same diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
During your appointment, your pupils will be dilated using special eye drops. Dilation allows your retina specialist to see the full extent of the retina clearly, but it also causes temporary blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light that can last several hours. Because of this, we recommend bringing someone who can drive you home. If you plan to drive yourself, bring a pair of sunglasses to wear after your visit.
A few practical steps can make your appointment more comfortable. Avoid wearing eye makeup, as mascara and eyeliner may need to be removed before certain tests and can introduce contaminants near the eye. Eat a normal meal before your visit to keep your blood sugar stable, and stay hydrated. If you tend to feel anxious about medical appointments, arriving a few minutes early to settle in can help.
If you take any eye drops regularly, continue using them as prescribed unless your doctor instructs otherwise. Write down any symptoms you have been noticing, even if they seem minor. Details such as when your symptoms started, whether they affect one or both eyes, and whether they come and go or remain constant are all helpful for your retina specialist.
What Happens During a Diagnostic Appointment
Your appointment typically begins with a thorough review of your medical and vision history. A member of the clinical team will ask about any symptoms you have been experiencing, your overall health, medications, and family history of eye disease. This step helps your retina specialist understand your risk factors and guides the diagnostic workup.
Your visual acuity, which is how clearly you can see at various distances, will be tested and recorded. This provides a baseline for comparison at future visits. An eye pressure measurement, also called tonometry, will also be taken. Elevated eye pressure can indicate conditions such as glaucoma and is an important part of any comprehensive eye evaluation.
Dilating drops are placed in your eyes to widen your pupils, giving your doctor a clear view of the retina and the vitreous, which is the gel-like substance that fills the center of the eye. The drops take about 20 to 30 minutes to reach full effect. Once dilated, your pupils may remain enlarged for four to six hours, so your vision will be somewhat blurry and light-sensitive during that time.
Depending on your symptoms and the initial examination, your retina specialist may order one or more advanced imaging tests. Optical coherence tomography, commonly called OCT, creates detailed cross-sectional images of the retinal layers and can detect swelling, fluid buildup, and structural changes. It is non-invasive and takes only seconds. Wide-field imaging captures panoramic photographs of the retina, providing a broad view of the retinal surface that traditional cameras cannot match.
In some cases, fluorescein angiography may be performed. This test involves injecting a small amount of dye into a vein in your arm and then photographing the blood flow through your retinal vessels as the dye circulates. It helps your doctor identify areas of leakage or blockage. Your skin and urine may appear slightly yellowish for a day or two after this test, which is normal and temporary.
Your retina specialist will use specialized equipment, including a slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope, to examine the retina in detail. After the examination and review of your imaging results, your doctor will explain the findings, discuss a diagnosis if one is made, and outline the recommended treatment plan. In some cases, treatment may begin during your first visit.
This is also the right time to ask questions. Understanding your condition, the available treatment options, and the expected follow-up schedule helps you take an active role in your care. There are no wrong questions, and your retina specialist will take the time to address your concerns.
Preparing for an Intravitreal Injection Appointment
Intravitreal injections are one of the most common treatments performed by retina specialists. The procedure involves delivering medication directly into the vitreous cavity of the eye, allowing it to work precisely where it is needed most. Unlike oral medications or standard eye drops, which may not reach the retina in sufficient concentrations, intravitreal injections provide targeted therapy for conditions that involve abnormal blood vessel growth, fluid leakage, or inflammation inside the eye.
The most widely used class of injection medications is called anti-VEGF therapy. VEGF stands for vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein that promotes the growth of abnormal blood vessels. By blocking this protein, anti-VEGF injections can slow or stop the progression of conditions such as wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion. Steroid injections are another option used for inflammatory conditions and certain types of macular edema.
Injection appointments are typically shorter than a full diagnostic visit, but preparation remains important. Eat a light meal before your appointment to keep your blood sugar stable and reduce the chance of lightheadedness. Avoid wearing eye makeup on the day of your injection, as the area around your eye will need to be thoroughly cleaned before the procedure. If you wear contact lenses, ask your doctor in advance whether to leave them out on the day of your appointment. Bring sunglasses, since your pupils will be dilated.
Continue taking all of your regular medications unless your retina specialist has given you specific instructions otherwise. If you are taking blood thinners, let your doctor know in advance, though blood thinners are generally not stopped for injection appointments. Arrange for someone to drive you home, particularly if this is your first injection and you are unsure how your vision will feel afterward.
Before the injection begins, your eye will be numbed using anesthetic drops or gel so you should not feel pain. The skin around the eye and the eye surface are cleaned with an antiseptic solution to minimize the risk of infection. A small device called a speculum may be used to hold your eyelids open during the procedure.
Your doctor will then administer the injection through the sclera, which is the white part of the eye. The injection itself takes only a few seconds. You may feel mild pressure and may see some temporary light or shadow during those brief moments, but the discomfort is minimal. After the injection, the speculum is removed and your eye is rinsed. You may notice some redness, mild irritation, or a small spot of blood on the white of the eye, all of which are normal and typically resolve within a few days.
Most patients can return to normal activities shortly after the procedure. You may experience some blurriness or floaters in the treated eye for the rest of the day. Avoid rubbing your eye and follow any post-procedure instructions your doctor provides. If you experience significant pain, a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a noticeable decrease in vision in the days following your injection, contact our office promptly.
Many retinal conditions require a series of injections given at regular intervals to maintain their effectiveness. Staying consistent with your injection schedule is one of the most important things you can do to protect your vision. Missing appointments or delaying treatment can allow your condition to progress and may reduce the overall benefit of therapy.
Preparing for Retinal Surgery
When a retinal condition cannot be managed with injections, laser treatment, or observation alone, surgery may be recommended. The most common retinal surgery is pars plana vitrectomy, a microsurgical procedure in which the vitreous gel is removed from inside the eye to access and repair the retina. Vitrectomy is used to treat retinal detachments, macular holes, epiretinal membranes (macular pucker), severe vitreous hemorrhage, and other complex conditions.
Other surgical procedures include scleral buckle surgery, in which a silicone band is placed around the eye to support a detached retina, and pneumatic retinopexy, an office-based procedure that uses a gas bubble to help reattach the retina. Cryoretinopexy, which applies extreme cold to seal retinal tears, and scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation for patients who have had complications from previous cataract surgery, are also performed at NERA. Your surgeon will explain which approach is recommended for your specific situation and why.
Once your surgery date is confirmed, you will need to schedule a pre-operative clearance appointment with your primary care physician and, if applicable, your cardiologist. This visit confirms that you are medically fit for surgery and anesthesia. Complete this clearance as soon as possible after your surgery is scheduled to avoid delays.
You will be notified of your specific arrival time on the business day before your surgery. In most cases, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight on the night before your procedure. If you take morning medications, your surgical team will advise whether to take them with a small sip of water or to skip them entirely.
On the morning of your surgery, you may shower and brush your teeth. Take any morning medications only if you were instructed to do so. Do not smoke on the day of your surgery. Do not wear eye makeup or any cosmetics around the eye area. Leave jewelry, valuables, and unnecessary personal items at home. Wear a button-down or zip-up shirt and loose, comfortable clothing, as you will not want to pull anything over your head after the procedure.
Bring a valid photo ID and your insurance card to the surgical facility. You will need someone to drive you to and from the surgical center, as you will not be able to drive yourself home.
NERA physicians perform surgery at several regional facilities, including Yale New Haven Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital, Stamford Hospital, and the North East Alliance Surgery Center in Hamden. Your surgical team will confirm the specific location when your surgery is scheduled.
Recovery experiences vary depending on the type of surgery performed. After a vitrectomy, you may need to maintain a specific head position for a period of days or weeks to help the retina heal properly. If a gas bubble is placed in your eye during surgery, it will gradually dissolve on its own, but you should not fly or travel to high altitudes until your doctor confirms the bubble has fully absorbed.
Some procedures require face-down positioning during recovery. If this applies to your surgery, specialized rental equipment is available to make the positioning period more manageable. Your surgical team will provide instructions and resources before your procedure.
You will receive specific post-operative instructions including which eye drops to use, activity restrictions, and when to return for follow-up visits. Most patients have a follow-up appointment within one to two days after surgery. Follow all instructions carefully, and contact our office if you experience a sudden increase in pain, significant vision loss, or any symptoms that concern you during your recovery.
Follow-Up Visits and Ongoing Care
After your initial evaluation, injection, or surgery, follow-up visits are a routine part of retina care. These appointments allow your retina specialist to monitor your condition, assess how you are responding to treatment, and make adjustments to your care plan as needed. Follow-up visits typically include visual acuity testing, OCT imaging, and a dilated examination, though the specific tests will depend on your condition and treatment history.
The frequency of follow-up appointments varies by diagnosis. Some patients with stable conditions may be seen every few months. Others, particularly those receiving ongoing injection therapy, may need visits every four to eight weeks. Your retina specialist will outline the recommended schedule for your situation.
Many retinal conditions are chronic and require long-term management. Staying consistent with your appointments and treatment schedule is one of the most effective ways to preserve your vision over time. If you have diabetes, maintaining good blood sugar control in coordination with your primary care physician or endocrinologist can significantly reduce your risk of diabetic eye disease progression. If you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration, your doctor may recommend specific nutritional supplements based on your stage and risk profile.
NERA's involvement in clinical research means that as new therapies receive approval or enter advanced trials, eligible patients may have access to treatment options not yet widely available. Our physicians stay current with the latest developments in retinal medicine so that your care plan reflects the best available evidence.
Your retina specialist is a partner in your eye health, and open communication is essential. Keep track of any changes in your vision between appointments, even if they seem small. If you notice new floaters, flashes of light, a shadow or curtain in your peripheral vision, or any sudden change in your central vision, contact our office so we can determine whether you need to be seen sooner than your next scheduled appointment. These symptoms can indicate conditions such as retinal tears or detachment that benefit from prompt evaluation.
Your referring optometrist or ophthalmologist remains an important part of your overall eye care. NERA works closely with referring providers across Connecticut and neighboring New York to ensure continuity and coordination throughout your care. Maintaining regular comprehensive eye exams with your primary eye care provider, in addition to your retina visits, supports a complete approach to your vision health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact our office and describe what you are experiencing. Symptoms such as a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, a dark shadow in your side vision, or a noticeable drop in clarity may need to be evaluated before your next scheduled visit. Our team can help determine whether you should come in sooner based on your specific symptoms.
Dilation is a standard part of most retina appointments because it gives your doctor the clearest possible view of the retina. The effects usually last four to six hours, during which your vision will be somewhat blurry and more sensitive to light. Bringing sunglasses and arranging for a ride home is recommended, especially for your first few visits.
Most patients report that injections are far more comfortable than they expected. Your eye is numbed with anesthetic drops or gel before the procedure, so you should not feel sharp pain. You may notice a brief sensation of pressure, but the injection itself takes only a few seconds and most people find it very manageable.
Recovery timelines depend on the specific procedure performed. Many patients can resume light daily activities within a few days, though certain restrictions may apply, particularly if face-down positioning or activity limitations are required. Your surgeon will provide detailed post-operative instructions tailored to your procedure and recovery needs.
Because your pupils will be dilated during most retina visits, your vision will be blurry and light-sensitive for several hours afterward. We recommend arranging for someone to drive you home, especially for your first visit or any appointment that may include treatment. If driving yourself is unavoidable, bring sunglasses and allow extra time for your vision to adjust before getting behind the wheel.
New England Retina Associates participates in a broad range of insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Connecticare, United Healthcare, and others. Coverage and benefits vary by plan, so we recommend confirming your specific coverage with your nearest NERA office before your appointment.
30 Years of Care & Commitment
