A fluocinolone implant is a tiny device placed inside the eye that slowly releases a corticosteroid medicine called fluocinolone acetonide. It is used to treat inflammation-related retinal conditions by delivering medication directly to the back of the eye. It is most commonly used in retinal clinics for chronic uveitis and certain cases of macular edema.
A dexamethasone implant is a tiny, long-acting device that releases the corticosteroid medicine dexamethasone over time. It is designed to reduce inflammation inside or around the eye and help control swelling that can affect vision. It is most commonly used in retinal care for conditions involving macular edema (fluid-related swelling in the central retina). Some formulations are placed inside the eye, while others are placed in or near the tear drainage system, depending on the product.
An intravitreal steroid is a corticosteroid medicine placed inside the eye. It is used to reduce inflammation and fluid buildup in the retina. It is most commonly used in retinal and uveitis care. It is typically delivered as an injection or a tiny implant in an outpatient setting.
intravitreal injection is a way to deliver medication directly into the vitreous, the gel-like space in the back of the eye. It is commonly used to treat retinal and macular diseases that can threaten central vision. The goal is targeted treatment where eye drops or pills may not reach the retina effectively. It is most often performed in an outpatient clinic setting.
faricimab is a prescription medicine used in retina care to help manage certain causes of vision loss. It is given as an injection into the eye (an intravitreal injection) by a trained eye specialist. It is commonly used for macular diseases where fluid or abnormal blood vessels affect central vision. Indications and dosing schedules can vary by country, clinic, and individual case.
brolucizumab is a prescription eye medication used in retinal (back-of-the-eye) disease care. It is given as an injection into the vitreous, the gel-like space inside the eye. It is commonly used in retina clinics to treat conditions driven by abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage. It works by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key signal involved in swelling and bleeding in the retina.
bevacizumab is a medication that blocks a signal involved in abnormal blood vessel growth. It is a monoclonal antibody (a targeted protein drug) originally developed for certain cancers. In eye care, it is commonly used as an intravitreal injection, meaning it is placed into the vitreous gel inside the eye. Ophthalmologists most often use it to treat retinal conditions that cause swelling or bleeding and can threaten vision.
aflibercept is a medicine used inside the eye to treat certain retinal diseases. It is most commonly given as an intravitreal injection, meaning an injection into the vitreous gel of the eye. It works by blocking signals that drive abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the retina. It is widely used in modern retina clinics for conditions affecting central vision (the macula).
ranibizumab is a prescription medicine used in retina care to help treat certain vision-threatening eye diseases. It is most commonly given as an injection into the eye (an intravitreal injection) in a clinic setting. ranibizumab is designed to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid leakage in the retina. It is widely discussed in the context of macular diseases that affect central vision.
anti-VEGF refers to medicines that block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is a natural signal in the body that can stimulate new blood vessel growth and leakage. In the eye, anti-VEGF is commonly used to treat retinal diseases that involve abnormal vessels or fluid. It is most often delivered as an injection into the eye by a retina specialist.
uveitic macular edema is swelling in the macula caused by inflammation inside the eye (uveitis). The macula is the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. This condition can blur or distort central vision and may fluctuate over time. It is commonly discussed in eye clinics when evaluating vision changes in people with uveitis.
endophthalmitis is severe inflammation inside the eye, most often caused by infection. It involves the fluid-filled spaces of the eye, especially the vitreous (the gel in the back of the eye). Clinicians use the term to describe an urgent, vision-threatening condition that needs rapid assessment. It is most commonly discussed after eye surgery, eye injections, or eye trauma, but it can also come from infection elsewhere in the body.
CMV retinitis is an eye infection that affects the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye. It is caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that can become active when the immune system is weakened. CMV retinitis is most often discussed in ophthalmology, infectious disease, HIV care, and transplant medicine. It matters because retinal damage can lead to permanent vision loss if the disease progresses.
toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis is an inflammatory eye condition caused by *Toxoplasma gondii*, a microscopic parasite. It affects the retina (the light-sensing layer) and the choroid (the vascular layer beneath the retina). It is a common cause of infectious posterior uveitis, meaning inflammation in the back part of the eye. The term is used in eye clinics, emergency settings, and eye imaging reports to describe a characteristic pattern of infection-related retinal inflammation.
chorioretinitis is inflammation of the choroid and the retina, two closely related layers at the back of the eye. It is a clinical term used in ophthalmology to describe a pattern of retinal and choroidal involvement seen on eye exam and imaging. The condition can be caused by infections, immune-mediated inflammation, or other systemic diseases. It is commonly discussed in uveitis clinics, retina practices, and general eye care when evaluating new visual symptoms.
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is an inherited condition that can cause sudden or subacute loss of central vision. It primarily affects the optic nerve, the “cable” that carries visual signals from the eye to the brain. LHON is linked to changes in mitochondrial DNA, which is passed down through the maternal line. The term is commonly used in ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology when evaluating unexplained, painless central vision loss.
Usher syndrome is an inherited condition that affects both hearing and vision. It typically combines hearing loss with a progressive retinal disease called retinitis pigmentosa. Some forms also affect balance (vestibular function). The term is commonly used in ophthalmology, audiology, and genetic counseling to describe a specific syndromic cause of dual sensory impairment.
Leber congenital amaurosis is a group of inherited retinal diseases that cause severe vision loss from birth or early infancy. It affects how the retina senses light and sends visual signals to the brain. The term is commonly used in pediatric ophthalmology, retina clinics, and genetic eye disease services. It is also used in genetic testing reports and research on inherited blindness.
choroideremia is a rare, inherited eye disease that causes progressive loss of vision. It mainly affects the retina, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and choroid—layers that support light sensing and retinal health. It is most commonly discussed in ophthalmology clinics, genetic eye disease services, and low-vision care. It is also a term used in genetic counseling and research, including clinical trials.
cone-rod dystrophy is a group of inherited retinal disorders that primarily affect cone photoreceptors and later involve rod photoreceptors. It typically causes early problems with central vision, color vision, and light sensitivity, with night vision often affected later. The term is most commonly used in ophthalmology, optometry, retinal clinics, and genetic eye disease care. It describes a diagnosis and clinical pattern rather than a single test, medication, or surgical procedure.