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Retinal Vein Occlusions

For years it has been known that laser treatment is beneficial in the treatment of Branch Retinal Vein Occlusions and Central Retinal Vein Occlusions. Other treatments including steroid injections, anti VEGF injections and various surgical procedures have also been utilized for these conditions.

While it has been known from extensive clinical experience that anti VEGF medications including Lucentis® and Avastin® are useful in the treatment of retinal vein occlusions, a recent phase III study known as the CRUISE study sponsored by Genentech has now statistically proven the benefit of Lucentis® for vein occlusions. The FDA has also recently approved a dexamethasone sustained release intravitreal implant known as Ozurdex® for the treatment of macular edema due to retinal vein occlusions. These newer treatments are leading to a much better prognosis for these relatively common conditions.

Retinal Testing

Fluorescein angiography (FA) has been the gold-standard for retinal imaging for decades. This test is extremely useful when evaluating Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusions. Many other modalities of retinal imaging provide additional information leading to more accurate diagnosis and treatment…

    • Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG) can provide information about the retina or choroid that at times cannot be determined by FA. This test can be useful in some cases of ARMD or in ocular inflammatory diseases.
    • B-scan ultrasonography can obtain useful information regarding the vitreous, retina and choroid. This test can be useful for evaluating tumors or for evaluating the retina when opacities such as blood prevent visualization.
      Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a technique that allows for a cross-sectional image of the retina to be obtained. This test does not require any dyes or injections and the test can be performed in minutes without any risks or side effects.
    • A newer photographic technique known as fundus autofluorescence (FAF) obtains images of the retina and can detect areas of damage that are not visible by routine examination techniques.

    The Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute and Fort Lauderdale Retina Institute offer all of these tests in order to provide the most accurate diagnoses for our patients.