Retina Consultants San Diego

09/21/2025

Choroidal neovascularization is the growth of abnormal blood vessels from the choroid that pe*****te Bruch's membrane into the sub-RPE and/or subretinal space. These vessels are fragile and prone to leakage and tearing, leading to subretinal fluid, hemorrhage, and scarring — all of which can cause severe, permanent central vision loss if untreated. Hemorrhaging from a choroidal neovascularization classically enters the subretinal space. In this image, in addition to the subretinal hemorrhage, an intraretinal hemorrhage, specifically a hemorrhage within Henle's layer is present, identifiable by the petalloid appearance of the inferior, nasaly and superior margins of the hemorrhage.

CNV is most commonly associated with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but it can also occur in conditions like pathologic myopia, punctate inner choroidopathy, ocular histoplasmosis, or angioid streaks.

Prompt diagnosis and treatment with intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy can stabilize or even improve vision. Swipe to see how CNV presents on fundus imaging — and why timely referral is key.

09/07/2025

Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysm (RAM) is an acquired, focal dilation of a retinal arteriole, typically occurring along the major temporal arcades. Most often seen in older hypertensive patients, RAMs can present with intraretinal, subretinal, or even vitreous hemorrhage, and may also cause macular edema if located nearby.

Fundus imaging may reveal a saccular aneurysm, sometimes surrounded by lipid exudation or hemorrhage. While some RAMs spontaneously thrombose and resolve, others require treatment — often with intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy or retinal laser photocoagulation, depending on location, severity, and degree of exudation or hemorrhage.

09/03/2025

Dr. Hanneken is a very caring and thorough retina specialist. My husband and I have been going to Retina Consultants for many years and trust this practice with our retina care - from laser treatment for torn retinas to injections for his AMD. We highly recommend them. - Linda R.

08/27/2025

I was very impressed with every aspect of my experience. The front desk staff was kind and professional, and the facility was very nice, with clean and comfortable waiting areas. Dr. London was excellent and accommodated me with same-day treatment, which I greatly appreciated. I would definitely recommend this practice. - Rosenda G.

08/25/2025

Join us in congratulating Dr. Thomas Lazzarini for being recognized as a 2025 Castle Connolly Rising Star! This honor celebrates early-career doctors who are making significant contributions to healthcare through their clinical care, research, community service, education, and leadership. We're incredibly proud to have Dr. Lazzarini on our team as he continues to shine in San Diego!

08/24/2025

Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium Maculopathy is a drug toxicity associated with chronic use of the medication more commonly known as Elmiron. This medication is used to treat patients with Interstitial Cystitis and was developed in the mid-90s, with a strong safety profile at that time. Unfortunately we are now seeing retinal damage as demonstrated in this photograph. Affected patients are typically women in their 50s and 60s who have been using Elmiron for 10 years or longer. Symptoms include poor night vision and less commonly reduced visual acuity, There is currently no treatment for Elmiron maculopathy, unless patients develop a complication such as a choroidal neovascular membrane.

08/20/2025

The staff was friendly and accommodating, making my first visit a positive experience. Dr. Lazzarini listened to my concerns, answered all my questions, and performed a thorough exam. He clearly explained my imaging so I could understand what was happening inside my eye. Overall, it was a great experience — Dr. Lazzarini is an excellent physician. - Terry P.

08/13/2025

I have been a patient of Dr. Jain for several years. Dr. Jain and his staff are always pleasant, patient, and happy to explain any of my treatments. Dr. Jain never seems rushed during our visits and always takes the time to address my concerns. My discussions with him are consistently reassuring and realistic. - Patricia G.

08/10/2025

Choroidal Hemangioma is a benign vascular tumor of the choroid that can be either circumscribed (isolated) or diffuse, the latter often associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome. These lesions typically appear as orange-red, dome-shaped masses on fundus exam and can lead to subretinal fluid, exudative retinal detachment, and vision loss if located near the macula.

While asymptomatic cases may be monitored, symptomatic lesions often require treatment with photodynamic therapy, radiation, or laser photocoagulation to reduce exudative fluid and preserve vision.

08/06/2025

Dr. Ammar is an outstanding retinal specialist. His knowledge and expertise are unparalleled, as is his bedside manner. Dr. Ammar takes the time to explain everything in a way that is easy to understand. There are not enough positive adjectives to describe him. I feel truly blessed to have found him and am honored to be one of his patients. - Richard O.

08/05/2025

Living with diabetes requires staying on top of your overall health, and that includes your eyes. Regular eye exams are important for everyone, but even more so for those with diabetes.

In this blog post, Dr. Thomas Lazzarini shares key signs and symptoms that may mean it’s time to see a diabetic eye specialist.

As a person living with diabetes, it's crucial to prioritize the health of your eyes. Diabetic eye diseases can have a profound impact on your vision if not detected and managed in a timely manner.

07/27/2025

Congenital Hypertrophy of the Retinal Pigmented Epithelium (CHRPE) is a benign, flat, pigmented lesion of the retina, often discovered incidentally during routine exams. Typically solitary and well-demarcated, CHRPE appears as a dark, sharply demarcated lesion, sometimes with internal depigmented lacunae or a surrounding halo.

Most cases are stable and require no treatment. However, the presence of multiple bilateral lesions (bear tracks, such as in this image) may warrant further investigation, as this can be associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and its variants.