Sierra Nevada Eye Center — Retinal Disorders
Protecting the
Retina, Preserving Sight.
The retina is essential to clear vision, and it becomes more vulnerable to disease as we age. Our advanced OCT imaging helps catch retinal problems early, when treatment is most effective.
- State-of-the-art OCT imaging for early detection
- Laser vitreolysis available for bothersome floaters
- Prompt coordination with retina specialists when needed
Is This Right for You?
Am I a Candidate for Retinal Disorders?
A sudden change in your vision deserves a prompt evaluation. Here's what to watch for.
When to seek care immediately: a sudden increase in flashes or floaters, or the appearance of a curtain or shadow across your vision, can signal a retinal tear or detachment. These are medical emergencies.
Ongoing monitoring: patients with diabetes or a family history of macular degeneration benefit from regular retinal exams even without symptoms, since early damage often has no warning signs.
Understanding Retinal Health
What Is the Retina?
The retina is a thin, light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. Much like film in a camera, it captures light and converts it into electrical signals that travel through the optic nerve to the brain. A healthy retina is essential for clear vision, and it becomes more vulnerable to disease as we age.
Common retinal conditions include macular degeneration, which affects the macula responsible for sharp central vision; diabetic retinopathy, caused by blood vessel damage from prolonged high blood sugar; retinal tears, which occur as the vitreous gel inside the eye shrinks and pulls away from the retina with age; and retinal detachment, a medical emergency in which the retina separates from the back of the eye.
At Sierra Nevada Eye Center, we use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to capture detailed cross-sectional images of the retina, allowing us to detect subtle changes well before they would be noticeable to the patient. For patients with bothersome floaters, we offer laser vitreolysis, a non-invasive in-office treatment that can reduce the visual impact of certain floaters without surgery.
When a condition requires surgical repair, such as an advanced retinal detachment, we coordinate promptly with a retina specialist to make sure treatment happens without delay. Comprehensive eye exams remain the most reliable way to catch retinal disease early, before permanent vision loss occurs.
Learn more about macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and flashes and floaters.
Patient Reviews
Treatment Approach
How Retinal Conditions Are Managed
Retinal care ranges from routine monitoring to same-day, in-office laser treatment, depending on the condition.
Observation & Monitoring
Regular OCT imaging to track stable or early-stage conditions
- Common for early macular degeneration and mild diabetic changes
- Comprehensive dilated exams at recommended intervals
- OCT imaging tracks subtle changes over time
- No treatment needed until intervention would make a meaningful difference
- Coordinated with your primary care doctor for diabetic patients
Most Common Path
In-Office Laser Treatment
Laser vitreolysis performed in-office for eligible patients
- Non-invasive treatment for visually significant floaters
- Performed in the office, no incisions required
- Candidacy determined during a dilated retinal exam
- More advanced conditions, like detachment, are referred urgently to a retina specialist
- Most patients need two treatment sessions, and sometimes three, to reach the result they want
For Bothersome Floaters
Valeda® Light Therapy
In-office treatment for dry macular degeneration
- Photobiomodulation uses specific wavelengths of light to support the retinal cells affected by dry macular degeneration
- Delivered in a series of short, painless in-office sessions
- Candidacy depends on the stage of your disease
For Dry Macular Degeneration
If you notice a sudden increase in flashes or floaters, or a curtain over your vision, contact us right away rather than waiting for a scheduled visit.
Step by Step
Your Retinal Care Journey
From evaluation to an ongoing care plan.
1
Evaluation
- Dilated retinal exam
- OCT imaging of the retina and optic nerve
- Review of symptoms and risk factors
2
Diagnosis
- Findings reviewed the same day
- Condition identified, or ruled out
- Urgent referral made immediately if detachment is suspected
3
Treatment
- Laser vitreolysis in-office for eligible floater cases
- Monitoring plan set for stable conditions
- Coordinated referral to a retina specialist for surgical cases
4
Long-Term Monitoring
- Scheduled follow-up imaging
- Diabetic patients coordinate with their physician
- Family history discussed for macular degeneration
What to Expect
Expected Retinal Disorders Outcomes & Recovery
Retinal care is about catching problems early. Here's what to expect from the process.
What Patients Can Expect in the First 30 Days
- Dilated pupils cause light sensitivity and blurred near vision for a few hours
- OCT imaging is quick, painless, and requires no recovery time
- Laser vitreolysis is scheduled after your candidacy is confirmed at a dilated exam
- Diabetic retinopathy screening is recommended annually
- Urgent referrals for detachment are typically seen within 24 hours
- Stable conditions are monitored on a schedule tailored to your risk level
Informed Care
Safety & Risk Considerations
Most retinal evaluation is diagnostic and non-invasive. When treatment is needed, we match the approach to the urgency and complexity of the condition.
Safety Profile
- OCT imaging is painless and involves no radiation
- Dilated exams have minimal risk beyond temporary light sensitivity
- Laser vitreolysis is non-invasive with no incisions
- Retinal detachment repair is coordinated with a retina specialist for the safest possible outcome
Possible Side Effects
- Temporary Blurred Vision - common after pupil dilation and resolves within a few hours.
- Light Sensitivity - expected after dilation, subsiding the same day.
- Delayed Diagnosis Risk - underscores why prompt evaluation matters for sudden symptom changes.
- Laser Vitreolysis - mild discomfort, redness, and temporarily blurred vision can follow treatment. Cataract development and a spike in eye pressure are possible but exceedingly rare.
How We Minimize Risk
Advanced Imaging
OCT technology detects subtle retinal changes long before symptoms would otherwise appear.
Prompt Emergency Coordination
Suspected retinal detachment is triaged and referred urgently, minimizing delay to treatment.
Non-Invasive Options First
Laser vitreolysis is considered for eligible floater cases before more invasive steps.
Why Sierra Nevada Eye Center
What Sets Our Retinal Care Apart
Retinal health can change quickly, and timing matters. Here's how we approach it.
Advanced OCT Technology
State-of-the-art imaging enhances early diagnosis of retinal problems that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Non-Invasive Floater Treatment
Laser vitreolysis offers an in-office option for patients bothered by floaters, without surgery.
Fast, Coordinated Referrals
When surgical retinal care is needed, we act quickly to connect you with a retina specialist.
Our Team
Meet Our Retinal Care Team
Comprehensive retinal evaluation with advanced OCT imaging, and coordinated referrals for surgical retinal care when needed.
Find Us
Retinal Disorders in Carson City & Reno
Retinal evaluations and OCT imaging available in Carson City and Reno.
Coverage & Financing
Cost & Insurance
Coverage for retinal care depends on whether the visit is diagnostic, monitoring-based, or elective.
Covered Diagnostic & Medical Care
Dilated exams, OCT imaging, and diabetic eye screenings are generally covered by medical insurance and Medicare.
- Comprehensive dilated retinal exam
- OCT imaging for diagnosis and monitoring
- Diabetic retinopathy screening
Laser Vitreolysis for Floaters
Because floater treatment is often elective, coverage varies by plan.
- Candidacy confirmed during your exam
- Cost discussed before scheduling
We'll check your specific coverage before any treatment is scheduled.
Flexible financing available. We work with CareCredit to offer low- and no-interest payment plans for care not covered by insurance. Ask about your options at your visit.
locationsCommon Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about retinal conditions.
Are floaters always something to worry about?
Most floaters are a harmless, normal part of aging eyes. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially with flashes of light, should be evaluated promptly to rule out a retinal tear.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
It’s damage to the retina’s blood vessels caused by prolonged high blood sugar. It often has no early symptoms, which is why yearly screening is recommended for anyone with diabetes.
Can macular degeneration be cured?
There is no cure, but early detection allows for monitoring and, in some cases, treatment that can slow its progression. For dry macular degeneration, Valeda light therapy may be an option, and wet macular degeneration can often be treated with medication injections when caught early. Regular OCT imaging helps catch changes before symptoms appear.
Do you perform retinal detachment surgery?
Retinal detachment is treated urgently. We coordinate quickly with a retina specialist for surgical repair, and we can guide you through what to expect.
What is laser vitreolysis?
It’s a non-invasive, in-office laser treatment for visually bothersome floaters. Not everyone is a candidate, so it starts with a dilated exam to check the floater’s location and size. Most patients need two treatment sessions, and sometimes three.
How often should I have my retina checked?
Adults with diabetes typically need annual screening. Others are usually screened as part of a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, or more often if a condition is being monitored.
Ready When You Are
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Most patients see results within 24 hours. Consultations are available at all four locations, online scheduling takes less than two minutes.