Patient Education

At Southwest Retina Specialists, we believe the best patients are educated patients who are able to ask the right questions. To assist in this, we have provided brief instructional and/or educational videos for informational purposes only and not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For health questions or concerns, contact the staff or physicians of Southwest Retina Specialists.

Our fellowship-trained, board-certified surgeons J. Edward Ysasaga, M.D., Antonio V. Aragon, II, M.D., Ryan B. Rush, M.D., and Jennifer R. Gallagher, M.D. provide advanced surgical retinal care using the most advanced surgical equipment and techniques today. 

At Southwest Retina Specialists, we believe the best patients are educated patients who are able to ask the right questions. To assist in this, we have provided brief instructional and/or educational videos for informational purposes only and not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For health questions or concerns, contact the staff or physicians of Southwest Retina Specialists.

IMPORTANCE OF COMPLETE EYE EXAM (Link)

GENERAL EDUCATION:

• How the Eye Works
• Anatomy: Macula
• Anatomy: Retina
• Anatomy: Vitreous Body
• Anatomy: Choroid
• How To Apply Eye Drops

MACULAR DEGENERATION:

• Macular Degeneration Introduction
• Macular Degeneration Symptoms
• Wet Macular Degeneration
• Dry Macular Degeneration: Overview
• Macular Degeneration: Nutritional Supplements
• Macular Drusen

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY:

• Diabetes: Overview
• Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
• Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
• Diabetic Retinopathy: Treatment Overview

Other Retinal Disorders:

• Central Serous Retinopathy
• Macular Edema
• Vitreous Detachment
• Vitreous Floaters
• Retinal Detachment
• Retinal Hole
• Retinal Tear
• Macular Hole
• Retinal Vein Occlusion
• Epiretinal Membranes & Macular Pucker
• Choroidal Nevus
• Choroidal Nevus: Treatment Overview
• Optic Neuritis
• Lattice Degeneration
• Retinopathy of Prematurity-ROP

RETINAL DIAGNOSTICS:

• Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Amsler Grid
• Fundus Autofluorescence, Inferred, & Red Free Imaging)
• Fundus Photography
• Wide-Angle Retinal Imaging

• Digital High Speed Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG)
  • Similar to Fluorescein Angiography, Digital High-Speed Indocyanine Green Angiography allows the observations of dye traveling blood vessels below the retina which cannot be viewed with fluorescein. Pigment (color cells) block the view of this layer. With ICG inferred imaging we are able to see the blood vessels of the choroid—the underlying blood vessels—which helps the doctors identify and monitor retinal diseases that impact the choroid, such as wet macular degeneration and inflammatory diseases.
• Ocular Ultrasound with B-Scan & A-Scan Technique 
  • Ultrasound has many uses in modern medicine. In ophthalmology, ultrasound is used to view eye structures when the doctor cannot see the back wall of the retina. Sound waves are propelled forward, and the returning sound signal gives a digital image of the eye. Ultrasound is also used for the detection, sizing, and determination of lesion shapes in the eye. This painless procedure begins with a numbing anesthetic on the eye, then a gel-lubricated probe rests upon the eye to capture images.
• Color Digital Fundus Photography 
  • For years, color imaging has been a standard tool to document the retina and ocular structures. Color imaging involves the use of a fundus camera and a bright flash to photograph the inside of the eye. These images are used to track the progression of disease in the eye.

Disclaimer: The information on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for any advice your physician may give about your specific eye problem. Please consult with your retinal specialist if you have any questions about your individual eye problem.