laser retinopexy: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

laser retinopexy is a laser treatment used on the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye. It is most commonly used to treat or reduce risk from retinal tears and certain retinal holes. The laser is applied to create a controlled scar that helps “spot-weld” the retina to underlying tissue. It is typically performed in an ophthalmology clinic or outpatient setting.

grid laser: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

grid laser is a type of retinal laser treatment that places many small laser spots in a “grid-like” pattern. It is most commonly used in the macula, the central retina responsible for detailed vision. The goal is usually to reduce retinal swelling (macular edema) and stabilize vision-related symptoms. It is performed in eye clinics by retina specialists as an outpatient procedure.

focal laser: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

focal laser is a type of retinal laser treatment that targets specific, localized problem areas in the back of the eye. It is most commonly used in retinal disease care to reduce fluid leakage or treat abnormal blood vessels. The treatment is performed in an eye clinic or outpatient setting using a specialized ophthalmic laser system. It is different from laser vision correction procedures that reshape the cornea.

panretinal photocoagulation (PRP): Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) is a laser treatment applied to the peripheral retina. It is commonly used to manage retinal diseases that cause abnormal new blood vessel growth. The goal is usually to reduce the risk of severe vision loss from complications like bleeding or retinal detachment. It is most often performed in a clinic-based setting by an ophthalmologist.

periocular steroid: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

A periocular steroid is a corticosteroid medication placed around the eye rather than directly on the eye surface. It is commonly given as an injection into tissues near the eyeball and orbit (the eye socket). The goal is to calm inflammation in and around the eye when drops are not enough or are not practical. It is used in ophthalmology for selected inflammatory and swelling-related eye conditions.

sub-Tenon steroid: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

A sub-Tenon steroid is a corticosteroid medication placed into the sub-Tenon space around the eye. It is used to reduce inflammation in and around the eye when drops alone may not be enough. It is most commonly used in ophthalmology clinics for inflammatory eye disease and swelling at the back of the eye. It is not the same as an “in-the-eye” (intravitreal) injection, although both may be used for similar conditions.

fluocinolone implant: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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.

dexamethasone implant: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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.

intravitreal injection: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

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.