Retina Specialist
in Buffalo, NY

What Is Retinal Disease?

The retina is a thin layer of tissue situated in the back of the eye. It’s responsible for converting refracted light into electrical impulses, which are then sent to the brain. A range of risk factors can threaten this sensitive tissue over time and cause vision-threatening dysfunction.

Here are some of the most common retinal diseases:

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): AMD is the breaking down of an area in the center of the retina, known as the macula. It commonly affects older people, causing irreversible vision loss.

Diabetic Retinopathy: Heightened blood sugar levels, common in diabetic patients, can cause blood vessels to swell or burst. In some cases, new, weaker blood vessels form and present higher risk for complications.

Other retinal diseases include retinitis pigmentosa, epiretinal membrane, and a range of retinal traumas.

Age-related Macular Degeneration in Buffalo

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs when the macula (a point at the center of the retina) starts to degrade over time. It can lead to vision loss if left untreated.

There are two types of AMD. Dry AMD is the thinning of the macula as a result of natural aging and is responsible for more than 80% of AMD cases. Wet AMD occurs when blood vessels in the retina begin to leak, causing inflammation. Wet AMD progresses much faster, which makes these cases more urgent.

A retina specialist can develop a treatment plan to slow or halt the onset and progression of AMD.

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Ausra Selvadurai, M.D.

Our Buffalo retina specialist is Dr. Ausra Selvadurai. She’s a dedicated ophthalmologist who developed her specialization in retinal conditions during her time studying under Dr. Phillip Rosenfeld, well-respected for his advanced AMD treatment, at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL.

Dr. Ausra is among the top retinal specialists in Western New York, and continues to stay at the forefront of her field through continued research on the newest methods in the industry.

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Peter Forgach, M.D.

Dr. Peter Forgach, who founded our practice over 30 years ago, is a retinal specialist and pillar of the community. His decades of experience, including time spent as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Jacobs School of Medicine right here in Buffalo have established Dr. Forgach as a trusted name in eye care.

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Buffalo’s Premier Retina Specialist

A retinal disease can cause irreversible vision loss, which means that it’s not enough to simply react to one. If you’re at risk for macular degeneration or other retinal disease, an experienced retinal specialist can help you manage your risk factors, using nutrition, lifestyle changes, and advanced treatments to give you the best chance of avoiding serious vision loss.

At Buffalo Ophthalmology, our retina specialist has years of medical experience managing even the most advanced cases of retinal disease. We understand the importance of treating each patient’s case as unique and cultivating communication between ophthalmologist, patient, and referring physician.

Our Approach to Retinal Disease Treatment

Retinal disease treatment aims to prevent the progression of retinal damage and keep the sensitive retina tissue healthy. Blood flow has to be even and unobstructed to avoid swelling, leaking, or retinal tears and detachment.

Whenever possible, we take a preventative approach — when we detect early indicators of macular degeneration, we work to slow or halt the progression of the disease.

AREDS Supplements

Sometimes before the onset of AMD, your retina specialist may prescribe an AREDS supplement containing a formula that provides the optimal nutrients to promote retinal health. These vitamins are backed by clinical research and designed to protect the macula from advanced damage.

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Anti-VEGF Injections and Steroids

For more severe cases of AMD and other retinal disease, the primary task should be stopping the growth of the new, unhealthy blood vessels that leak into the retina. Anti-VEGF injections are specifically designed to stop any harmful new blood vessels from forming. Steroid medications may be used to boost the effectiveness of the injections.

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Laser Eye Surgeries

In the most severe cases of AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and other retinal diseases that cause blood vessels to leak fluid into the retina, a surgery called laser photocoagulation may be used. This involves using a precise laser to burn the ends of weak blood vessels in the macula and other parts of the retina, preventing them from leaking any further.

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