Retina Associates of Western NY

11/18/2025

November is awareness month! Here is a video from our friends at the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP), reminding us of the importance of keeping our health on "TRACK" to prevent diabetes related vision loss.

Learn how you can protect your vision from diabetes and keep your health on TRACK in this video from the National Eye Health Education Program. Make sure you...

11/13/2025

Another RAWNY research milestone! Today we officially enrolled our 100th DRCR Retina Network clinical trial patient!!! 🎉 RAWNY works closely with the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research (DRCR) Retina Network, funded by the National Eye Institute, to implement clinical research initiatives focused on retinal disorders. Director of Clinical Trials, Dr. Edward Hall, had this to say:

11/12/2025

We are excited to have randomized our first study patient in the ONL Therapeutics Galaxy trial! Geographic Atrophy (GA) associated with AMD is one of the world's leading causes of visual disability and legal blindness globally. RAWNY is committed to helping bring new treatments to market that can improve patient visual outcomes and healthcare efficiency. Learn more about this trial at https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06659445

11/11/2025

For your service, your bravery and your hard work, we thank you.

11/07/2025

Retina specialists are an important part of the diabetes care team!

Not all eye doctors are the same. Retina specialists complete up to 10 years of advanced training to diagnose and treat complex retinal conditions, including diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema (DME).

Learn more about retina specialists and why they’re essential members of every diabetes care team in our What is a Retina Specialist patient guide, available in English and Spanish. Download and share it with family and friends today: www.SeeforaLifetime.org/resources.

11/05/2025

RAWNY Image Feature of the Month: Hollenhorst Plaque and Peripheral Retinal Sea Fan Neovascularization on CFP and FAF: This interesting case of a old branch artery occlusion shows the importance of using a variety of imaging modalities to capture and enhance different types of pathology. The color fundus photograph clearly shows multiple hollenhorst plaques inferotemporally below the optic nerve. Hollenhorst plaques are created when plaque from somewhere else in the body breaks free and blocks a blood vessel in the retina and are considered a form of an eye stroke. On the other hand, the monochromatic fundus autofluorescence (FAF) image really accentuates the area of neovascularization which lies even further inferotemporally. This type of neovascularization is called “sea fan” because of its fan-like shape of abnormal blood vessels. Sea fan neovascularization occurs in the peripheral retina as a response to chronic ischemia, which stimulates the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), causing new abnormal blood vessel growth. The patient has since returned for anti-VEGF treatments along with laser, and fortunately maintains 20/30 visual acuity in both eyes. Photo credit: Karissa Rigby

11/04/2025

On this we would like to congratulate Ophthalmic Technician Amanda on becoming scribe certified! Amanda recently obtained her Ophthalmic Certified Scribe (OCS) Certification through Jcahpo- the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. She works alongside Dr. Witmer documenting patient visits in real time while providing excellent care to our patients. Keep up the great work Amanda!❤️💙

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from the RAWNY crew! 🎃

10/30/2025

Thank to our amazing Revenue Cycle Manager Toni and our industry partners for the educational in-service this morning! Staff reviewed the nuances of the patient support and financial assistance programs, as well as received an update on Medicare Open Enrollment resources. The more we know, the better we can educate and assist our patients!

In an effort to provide our patients with as many helpful resources as possible, we have updated our website to include Medicare Open Enrollment information in a variety of formats, including videos, a podcast, fact sheets, and local contacts & counselors. Check it out at https://retinaassociatesofwny.com/resources/

10/29/2025

Congratulations to Ophthalmic Technician Luis for obtaining his Ophthalmic Certified Scribe (OCS) Certification through Jcahpo - the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology! He has been named the Lead of our new Scribe department, which we have implemented to help the doctors provide more efficient and effective care to our patients. Congratulations on this great accomplishment Luis!!!

10/28/2025

Our patient came in complaining of a "splitting headache" after her last injection...and then surprised Dr. Hall with a plastic knife through the head! 😲🤣 We love it when our patients get into the Halloween spirit! 🎃

10/22/2025

You've probably seen commercials for blood sugar control and obesity treatment medications, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. These semaglutide medications have shown to be very effective, but studies have also shown they can cause visual changes such as blurred vision or worsening of diabetic retinopathy. Here’s what ophthalmologists want you to know.

Taking Ozempic or Wegovy? Learn what ophthalmologists are seeing—potential risks to diabetic retinopathy, blurred vision, optic nerve health & when to act.