When to See a Retina Specialist

While many patients are referred to Dr. Dibya Prabha by general ophthalmologists, optometrists, or physicians, a referral is not mandatory — you can book an appointment directly if you are experiencing symptoms such as new flashes and floaters, distorted vision, sudden vision loss, or if you have diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration that needs ongoing retina care. However, if you have been seen by another eye doctor, please bring all prior records, imaging (OCT scans, fundus photos, fluorescein angiograms), and a summary of treatments received. This helps Dr. Prabha understand your history and avoid repeating tests unnecessarily. Our front desk at +91 99557 07207 can answer any questions about the booking process and what to bring.

The follow-up interval is individualized based on your specific condition, severity, treatment regimen, and response. For stable, mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy without macular edema: every 6 to 12 months. For diabetic macular edema on anti-VEGF injections: typically every 4 to 6 weeks initially, with the interval extended based on treatment response (treat-and-extend protocol). For wet AMD on anti-VEGF injections: typically every 4 to 12 weeks depending on the specific drug and regimen. For a retinal tear treated with laser: a follow-up examination in 1 to 2 weeks to confirm an adequate laser scar, then monitoring as needed. For a posterior vitreous detachment with no tear found on initial examination: a recheck in 2 to 4 weeks to ensure no delayed tear has developed (the risk period for a retinal tear is the first 4 to 6 weeks after PVD onset). For stable dry AMD: every 6 to 12 months with Amsler grid self-monitoring at home. For high myopia: annual dilated examination. Dr. Prabha provides a clear follow-up schedule at each visit and explains the rationale behind it.

Intravitreal injections are the most common retina procedure performed worldwide, and while the idea of an injection into the eye is understandably anxiety-provoking, the procedure is quick, well-tolerated, and extremely safe when performed under proper aseptic technique. Before the injection, the eye is numbed with topical anesthetic drops (and sometimes a subconjunctival lidocaine injection for additional anesthesia), and the surface is sterilized with povidone-iodine 5% to minimize infection risk. A speculum keeps the eye open. The injection itself takes less than a second, and most patients feel only mild pressure, not sharp pain. The entire procedure takes under 5 minutes. The most feared complication is endophthalmitis — a severe intraocular infection — which occurs in approximately 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 5,000 injections when strict aseptic protocol is followed. Other risks include: subconjunctival hemorrhage (a painless patch of blood on the white of the eye that resolves in 1 to 2 weeks — very common and harmless), temporary floaters from the drug or a small air bubble, transiently elevated intraocular pressure, and retinal detachment or tear (rare). Dr. Dibya Prabha follows rigorous aseptic protocol, uses povidone-iodine antisepsis, and monitors patients after each injection. The benefits — preventing irreversible central vision loss from wet AMD or diabetic macular edema — vastly outweigh the small procedural risks.

Some retinal detachments can be treated with less invasive in-office procedures, but most established retinal detachments require surgery. The specific treatment depends on the type, location, size, and duration of the detachment. A retinal tear without detachment — the precursor to retinal detachment — is treated in the office with laser retinopexy (creating burns around the tear to seal it) or cryopexy (freezing treatment). This is quick, effective, and prevents the progression to detachment. For a small, localized retinal detachment confined to the peripheral retina and not involving the macula, pneumatic retinopexy may be an option: a gas bubble is injected into the vitreous cavity, and the patient is positioned so the bubble rises and tamponades the retinal break, allowing the subretinal fluid to pump out. Laser or cryopexy is then applied. This is an in-office or minor procedure and avoids the need for a full vitrectomy in selected cases. However, most retinal detachments — especially those that are larger, involve the macula, or have multiple or large breaks — require surgical repair by pars plana vitrectomy (removing the vitreous gel, draining subretinal fluid, applying laser around the breaks, and filling the eye with gas or silicone oil) or scleral buckling (placing a silicone band around the outside of the eye to indent the wall and close the break). The surgical approach is tailored to the individual detachment characteristics. The most important determinant of final visual outcome is whether the macula is attached at the time of surgery — which is why you must seek care urgently when you notice the symptoms of retinal detachment. Dr. Dibya Prabha provides same-day evaluation and coordinates surgical repair without delay.