Retinal Consultants of Arizona and the Retina Research Institute are dedicated to providing the most advanced, personalized patient eye care in Arizona. Our practice is at the forefront of implementing the latest vision correction surgery technologies that enable retina specialists to improve treatment accuracy and speed, comfort, and safety.
Groundbreaking technologies such as TrueVision 3D visualization, laser-assisted cataract surgery, retinal imaging, telescope implants allow us to provide cutting-edge treatment options for the diagnosis, management, and treatment of retina and vitreous disease and conditions – all designed for the highest class patient experience. We are proud to offer the latest technologies in the ophthalmic industry today from companies worldwide leading the ophthalmic industry in innovation and technology.
Advanced Technology
CentraSight Implantable Telescope
CentraSight is a first-of-kind treatment program that utilizes a tiny telescope implant for End-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most advanced form of AMD and the leading cause of blindness in older Americans.
Approximately 500 patients across the country have received the telescope implant to date, and Retinal Consultants of Arizona is one of 100 CentraSight teams in the U.S. No surgeries have been performed to date in the Phoenix area.
The telescope implant is FDA approved for patients age 65 and older and is the only surgical option that improves visual acuity by reducing the impact of the central vision blind spot caused by end-stage AMD. The cost for the telescope implant and visits associated with the treatment program are Medicare eligible.
Patients with end-stage AMD suffer from a central blind spot. This vision loss makes it difficult or impossible to see faces, to read, and perform everyday activities such as watching TV, preparing meals, and performing self-care. The telescope implant has been demonstrated in clinical trials to improve quality of life by improving patients’ vision so they can see the things that are important to them, increase their independence, and re-engage in everyday activities. It also may help patients in social settings as it may allow them to recognize faces and see the facial expressions of family and friends.
Smaller than a pea, the telescope implant uses micro-optical technology to magnify images that would
normally be seen in one’s “straight ahead” or central, vision. The images are projected onto the healthy portion of the retina not affected by the disease, making it possible for patients to see or discern the central vision object of interest.
“The CentraSight Treatment Program offers new hope and an improved quality of life for patients suffering with central vision blindness due to late-stage age-related macular degeneration,” said Dr. Derek Kunimoto, retina ophthalmologist and co-managing partner, Retinal Consultants of Arizona. “We are proud to be the leading referral practice in the Phoenix Valley for this breakthrough treatment plan.”
Arizona patients or caregivers interested in learning more should contact Retinal Consultants of Arizona at (602) 222-2221.
About CentraSight
CentraSight is the first-ever telescope implant for end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most advanced form of AMD and the leading cause of blindness in older Americans. Patients with end-stage AMD have a central blind spot or missing area in their vision that makes it difficult or impossible to see faces, read, and perform everyday activities.
The CentraSight Treatment Program allows patients to see again by implanting a tiny telescope in the eye in an outpatient procedure, then coordinating with vision specialists to help the patient learn how to use their new vision for everyday activities.
Navilas Visualization System
Retinal Consultants of Arizona introduces the Navilas Visualization System with Direct Laser into its available treatment program.
“The Navilas Laser Therapy system strengthens our ability to treat patients suffering from diabetic macular edema, and other diabetic eye diseases, with greater comfort and less burden to the patient,” said Dr. Pravin Dugel, managing partner, Retinal Consultants of Arizona. “We are fortunate to have been recognized by Navilas to receive this cutting-edge treatment option for Arizona citizens.”
The advantages of Navilas system include minimizing human error and reducing tissue damage. In addition, there is no need for a contact lens to deliver the laser, which means no-touch and less discomfort for the patient. Retinal laser photocoagulation is a treatment option for a variety of retinal disorders. Despite the advances in the speed of delivery and modifications in the duration of laser application, the precision of treatment is dependent on patient’s cooperation and physician’s experience.
The Navilas system combines retinal imaging and photocoagulation laser in a single device, providing image-guided and computer-assisted pre-positioning, otherwise referred to as retinal navigation. The integrated device combines high-speed image capture with a therapeutic laser that is applicable across the fundus.
“The Navilas technology is unique in that it combines high definition multi-modal imaging with a treatment plan in real time,” said Dr. Karim Jamal, ophthalmologist, Retinal Consultants of Arizona. “For our patients, this means safer and more accurate laser treatments than ever before. Retina Navigation with eye tracking greatly reduces potential complications with greater targeting of the laser treatment area and sparing precious areas of the retina.”
The system consists of a fundus camera, laser operated through a touch screen user interface, and a foot pedal to apply the laser. Preoperative images are acquired with the same device, and notations on a selected fluorescein angiogram are made on the screen. These notations allow treatments to be individually tailored to the abnormality during the planning phase.
Watch treatment videos of the Navilas Visualization System.
About Navilas
The Navilas® Laser System is an advanced focal/panretinal photocoagulation device revolutionizing the treatment of vision-threatening retinal diseases such as Diabetic Macular Edema, Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and Retinal Vein Occlusions.
Pioneering Retina Navigation, Navilas® integrates diagnostics with laser therapy and allows a pre-planned, computer-guided and digitally documented treatment to be performed by the retina specialist. The groundbreaking Navilas® technology enables the doctor to improve overall treatment accuracy as well as speed, comfort and safety. An optimized therapy concept aims at adding a durable effect and cost-effectiveness to pharmacological therapies.
Optovue & the AngioVue Imaging System
Retinal Consultants of Arizona is pleased to announce the addition of the AngioVue Imaging System by Optovue, Inc. to its eye test equipment.
The AngioVue system provides a new way for our doctors to visualize the presence of blood flow in the retina without the need to inject a contrast dye. RCA is one of the first practices in the United States to have access to this revolutionary imaging technology.
The AngioVue Imaging System may benefit patients who may be at risk or are being treated for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion or choroidal neovascularization.
- Capturing an image with AngioVue is quick and non-invasive, so your doctor can monitor your condition more frequently. This allows RCA to keep a close watch on eye disease and how treatment may or may not be working.
- Traditional imaging methods, such as fluorescein angiography, do not show blood flow in the microvessels that we are able to see with AngioVue. Because AngioVue gives us a more detailed view, we can diagnose disease earlier and confirm the effects of treatment sooner.
- AngioVue lets your doctor view individual layers of the retina to look for very small changes that may ultimately affect your vision. By examining each layer of the retinal tissue, we are taking the most comprehensive approach possible to diagnosing and managing eye disease.
About Optovue
Optovue, Inc. is an ophthalmic device company dedicated to working with eye care professionals and clinical researchers to lead the commercialization of new imaging modalities that improve diagnosis and therapy of ocular disease.
Incorporated in December 2003, Optovue was founded to develop the next generation ophthalmic diagnosis instrument based on ultra-high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology. OCT provides physicians with advanced retina diagnostic capabilities that have significant benefits for patients who have retina conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and other macular diseases.
TrueVision 3D Surgical
TrueVision® is a stereoscopic high-definition visualization system that displays the surgical field of view in real-time on a 3D flat-panel display in the operating room. It is used for refractive cataract, glaucoma, and retinal surgeries.
TrueVision® enables surgeons to operate in a “heads up” manner by viewing a large screen instead of traditional microscope oculars, providing an ergonomic and immersive visualization experience for the surgeon and other observers.
TrueGuide™ Computer-Guided Surgery provides digital guidance during cataract and cornea surgery. It utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostics for data acquisition to generate templates for astigmatism correction and advanced lens placement.
TrueVision® Records 3D surgical video for educational purposes, as well as on-demand and streaming 3D surgical video content for medical meetings.
Learn more about TrueVision 3D Surgical.
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