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.

Best disease is an inherited eye condition that affects the macula, the central part of the retina used for detailed vision. It is also called Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD). It is most commonly discussed in retina clinics and genetic eye disease evaluations. People often learn about it after an eye exam shows a characteristic “yellow” macular lesion or unexplained central vision changes.

Stargardt disease is an inherited eye condition that primarily affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision. It is commonly described as a juvenile-onset macular dystrophy, although adult-onset forms also occur. The term *Stargardt disease* is used in eye clinics to name a specific diagnosis and to guide testing, counseling, and long-term monitoring. People often research it when they notice central vision changes such as blurred reading vision or difficulty recognizing faces.

inherited retinal dystrophy is a group of genetic (inherited) conditions that affect the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye. It typically causes gradual changes in vision because retinal cells do not function normally or slowly degenerate over time. The term is commonly used in eye clinics, genetic testing reports, and research to describe these inherited retinal diseases. It includes several named diagnoses, such as retinitis pigmentosa and Stargardt disease.

retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited (genetic) eye conditions that affect the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye. It most often causes gradual difficulty seeing in dim light and a progressive loss of side (peripheral) vision. It is commonly used as a clinical diagnosis term in ophthalmology, optometry, and genetic eye disease clinics. It is also used in research and clinical trials that focus on inherited retinal degeneration.

retinal vasculitis is inflammation affecting blood vessels in the retina. The retina is the light-sensing tissue lining the back of the eye. This condition is discussed in eye clinics when evaluating retinal inflammation, vision changes, or unexplained retinal bleeding. It is also used as a clinical diagnosis and a descriptive finding on retinal imaging.

Hollenhorst plaque is a small, bright, reflective deposit seen inside a retinal arteriole during an eye exam. It usually represents a cholesterol embolus (a tiny piece of fatty material traveling in the bloodstream). Clinicians most often identify it on a dilated retinal examination or retinal imaging. It is used as an eye finding that can signal underlying vascular (blood vessel) disease elsewhere in the body.