Treatment options

Laser Treatment

Barrier Laser Treatment: In cases of retinal breaks or degenerative changes, barrier laser treatment is performed to firmly adhere the retina to the underlying tissue and prevent progression to retinal detachment.

Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP): In various retinal vascular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion, PRP is used to coagulate the peripheral ischemic retina. This reduces the production of angiogenic factors, thereby preventing disease progression and preserving central vision. Various types of laser treatments are selected based on the specific retinal condition. At AMC, retinal specialists use advanced laser devices to precisely target affected areas of the retina, while visualizing the patient’s eye in real time for maximum safety and efficacy.

Injection Treatment

The eye is an anatomically isolated organ from systemic circulation, making systemic drug delivery ineffective for many retinal diseases. Therefore, direct drug injections into or around the eye are used to maintain therapeutic drug concentrations. Recently, various injectable drugs have been developed and are widely used for conditions such as wet age-related macular degeneration, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion, and uveitis. These treatments aim to regress abnormal neovascularization or reduce macular edema. Since the therapeutic effect of each injection gradually diminishes over time, repeated injections are often required to maintain disease control and preserve vision.

Surgical Treatment

Transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) is a surgical procedure used to treat various retinal diseases, such as retinal detachment, persistent vitreous hemorrhage, epiretinal membrane, and macular holes. AMC was the first hospital in Korea to introduce TSV as a standard surgical technique and has since been equipped with cutting-edge surgical systems. AMC's retinal specialists perform all types of retinal surgeries tailored to each patient’s condition, including scleral buckling.

Major diseases

• Diabetic Retinopathy

  Diabetic retinopathy is one of the major microvascular complications of diabetes and a leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide. However, vision loss can often be prevented through regular ophthalmic examinations and timely treatment.

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration

  Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) primarily results from the aging process. AMD is categorized into two types: dry (non-neovascular) and wet (neovascular). Dry AMD is characterized by the accumulation of drusen, which are retinal metabolic byproducts. It can lead to gradual vision deterioration, progress to geographic atrophy, or convert into wet AMD. Wet AMD involves the development of abnormal new blood vessels, which may cause sudden and severe vision loss due to retinal edema or hemorrhage. Therefore, regular eye examinations and timely intravitreal injections are essential to preserving vision.

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration

  • Retinal detachment: Separation of the retina from the underlying tissue at the back of the eye
  • Macular hole: Formation of a hole in the macula
  • Epiretinal membrane: Development of an abnormal membrane on the surface of the retina
  • Uveitis: Inflammation of the middle layer of the eye
  • Retinal artery/vein occlusion: Blockage of retinal blood vessels, often accompanied by hemorrhage and macular edema
  • Degenerative myopia: Progressive structural changes in the posterior segment of the eye due to high myopia, potentially associated with retinal diseases requiring surgical or medial management

• There are countless other types of retinal and macular diseases. Accurate diagnosis and timely treatment are essential to achieving the best possible visual outcomes. Relying on uncertain information or attempting to self-diagnose may result in missing the critical window for effective treatment. If you experience any ocular discomfort or visual disturbances, it is strongly recommended that you consult an ophthalmologist for a proper evaluation.

At the Retina Section, we care deeply about your vision. Our team is here to provide you with the best possible care using the latest knowledge and technology. We are always working to protect your sight so you can continue to see the moments that matter most.