Retina Services
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Protect Your Vision
The Retina
The retina is the part of the eye that allows it to see. The light you see is converted by your retina into signals sent to the brain for you to process the world around you. The retina is the thin layer of cells in the back of the eye responsible for this complex process.
Photoreceptor cells in the retina convert light and convert it into signals that the brain can understand. Without a healthy retina, it is impossible to see the world clearly, the way it is meant to be seen.
Maintain Healthy Eyesight
Why Retina Health Matters
Your retina is essential for clear, detailed vision—but it’s also vulnerable to many conditions that may not cause symptoms right away. Early detection is key, as damage to the retina can be permanent if left untreated. If you notice changes like blurry spots, flashes, or sudden vision loss, seeking care from a retina specialist is crucial.
Fellowship-Trained Surgeon
Dr. Tokuhara is the only surgeon in The Coachella Valley with training through a Retina Fellowship program.
Common Retina Problems
When the retina is diseased or damaged, it affects the eye in different ways. If you suspect you have a retina condition, contact our office at Desert Vision Center as soon as possible to see our fellowship trained retina specialist. Some retina problems can cause significant permanent loss of vision if left untreated.
Macular Degeneration
The macula, located at the center of the retina, controls sharp, detailed vision needed for reading, driving, and recognizing faces. When macular degeneration develops, this vital area deteriorates, leading to gradual loss of central vision. Early detection and treatment are essential to preserving independence and protecting long-term sight.
Types of Macular Degeneration
- Macular degeneration appears in two main forms—dry and wet—each affecting central vision differently and requiring distinct approaches to management.
- Dry (Atrophic): The most common form, where light-sensing cells slowly break down, causing a gradual decline in central vision
- Wet (Exudative): Less common but more severe; abnormal blood vessels leak fluid or blood under the macula, leading to rapid vision loss.
Injections for Wet Macular Degeneration
Patients with the wet form of macular degeneration typically require more aggressive treatment. The most effective option is intravitreal injection of anti-angiogenic medications. These drugs block abnormal blood vessels from growing under the retina and reduce leakage that causes swelling and rapid vision loss.
Treatment involves injecting medication directly into the eye during a quick, in-office procedure that takes only minutes and is generally well-tolerated. Injections are often repeated on a regular schedule—sometimes monthly or bimonthly—depending on how well the disease responds. Many patients experience stabilization of their vision, and some even achieve improvement with consistent therapy. Early detection of wet macular degeneration is essential, as beginning injections promptly offers the best chance of preserving sight.
Diagnosing Macular Degeneration
Besides a comprehensive dilated eye exam, diagnostic tests are important to distinguish between the dry and wet forms of macular degeneration. Additionally, testing is needed to monitor disease progression and evaluate the therapeutic response. High definition optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retinal fluorescein angiography are commonly used tests for the precise imaging of the macula to help guide treatment of macular degeneration.
Treatment Options Include
Managing macular degeneration requires tailored care. Depending on disease type and severity, treatments range from nutrition to injections and advanced surgery.
- Nutritional Support: AREDS2 vitamins and lifestyle changes to slow progression.
- Injections: Anti-angiogenic medicines for wet macular degeneration.
- Surgical Solutions: Implantable miniature telescope for select end-stage cases
Regular exams protect your vision by detecting macular degeneration early. Contact Desert Vision Center today to schedule your appointment and safeguard lifelong eye health.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Elevated blood glucose levels in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes damage the blood vessels in the retina leading to diabetic retinopathy. Eventually, macular tissue swelling, internal bleeding, and interruption of retinal blood flow can occur with profound effects on visual function. Any patient with diabetes should be routinely checked with a complete dilated retina examination and treated before any
visual damage occurs. Symptoms include:
- Eye pain
- Double vision
- Cataracts
- Fluctuating vision or prescription changes
- Image distortion
- Spots in vision
In diabetes, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the retina. Early detection of retina damage in diabetic retinopathy is critical is protecting and preserving your vision. In cases where diabetic retinopathy threatens vision, non-surgical treatment options include intravitreal injections and retina laser. If you are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, schedule a consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Retina Services
The retina is a thin layer of tissue at the back of your eye that converts light into signals for your brain, enabling you to see. Without a healthy retina, clear and sharp vision is not possible.
Some of the most common retina problems include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and macular holes. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preserving vision and preventing permanent damage.
Symptoms may include blurry or distorted vision, sudden flashes of light, new floaters, dark spots, or a shadow across your vision. Any sudden change in eyesight should be evaluated immediately by a retina specialist.
We use advanced tools such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography, and high-definition imaging to detect and monitor retina conditions. These tests help us create customized treatment plans tailored to your needs.
Depending on the condition, treatments may include intravitreal injections, laser therapy, or advanced surgical techniques. At Desert Vision Center, Dr. Tokuhara specializes in providing state-of-the-art, patient-focused care for both routine and complex retina diseases.
Attention Patients
Dear Valued Patients of Desert Vision Center,
Dr. Tokuhara is a highly skilled cataract surgeon, specializing in advanced anterior segment surgeries, including complex glaucoma and cataract procedures. He focuses on patients who need surgical intervention or are at risk of severe vision loss.
While Dr. Tokuhara offers comprehensive eye care for his own surgical patients, he does not provide general eye care or post-operative care for patients of other surgeons. When you choose Dr. Tokuhara, he becomes your trusted eye doctor for life. A Note About Ethical Care
In our community, some providers engage in illegal financial kickbacks accepting payments for cataract surgery referrals. Desert Vision Center firmly rejects this unethical practice. We follow the highest ethical standards, complying with the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law, ensuring that your care in never influenced by financial incentives.
We believe referrals should always be based on what’s best for the patient—not financial gain. If you’re being evaluated for cataract surgery, we encourage you to ask questions and be mindful of these referral arrangements.
Choose the surgeon who prioritizes your vision and your well-being—not one chosen for someone else’s profit.
Sincerely,
Desert Vision Center