General Practitioners

• Cryotherapy
  The retina must be returned to its position against the wall of the eye, and the retinal break must be sealed to prevent fluid from going through the break again. The retinal break is sealed by either laser or cryotherapy (freezing treatment). There are a number of ways to accomplish this reattachment, depending on the type of retinal detachment present.

Ophthalmologists

• Ophthalmology
  Dr. Diddie obtained his M.D. degree from the Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago. He completed an ophthalmology residency and Heed Retinal Fellowship, also at the University of Chicago. Following a retina-vitreous fellowship at the University of Southern California, Dr. Diddie was a full-time faculty member for five years. He has been in private practice since then. Dr. Diddie is a member of the Retina and Macula Societies and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
• Macular Degeneration
  Sub-threshold micropulse laser is typically given for conditions with leaking blood vessels including diabetic macular edema, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, and wet age-related macular degeneration. Treatment is delivered through a slit lamp and a contact lens. There is no pain or decrease in vision, since it is not a thermal laser.
• Cataracts
  In about 80% of the cases, distortion is decreased and vision improves by about 50%. If the patient's own lens is present, this operation will likely cause clouding of the lens, a cataract, which will require another operation. Of course, with any operation, severe, rare complications, such as infection or hemorrhage, can permanently decrease vision.
• Eye Exam
  The eye examination requires very bright lights. These may be uncomfortable but are not harmful. Following the examination, our physician will discuss the findings with you and may recommend further testing. A consultation report will be sent to your medical doctor. Your eyes will remain dilated for several hours and we recommend that someone drive you home.

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care
• Diabetic Retinopathy
  Thermal laser is used to treat retinal tears and some cases of diabetic retinopathy and vein occlusions that have non-perfused retinal blood vessels. The treatment can be delivered either through an indirect ophthalmascope, or through a slit lamp and contact lens. Because there is a thermal change, sometimes the laser treatment is uncomfortable and we recommend that patients have a driver.

Radiologist

• Computed Tomography
  Fluorescein is a relatively safe dye. Unlike the dye used for CT scans, cardiac angiograms and kidney studies, it does not contain iodine. Patients with allergies to iodine can safely receive a fluorescein injection. The allergic reactions to fluorescein are relatively rare and are usually mild, consisting of itching and hives. Also, transient nausea occasionally occurs. The dye is cleared in the urine. Fluorescein may cause your skin to appear orange-brown for several hours following the injection. In addition, your urine will appear yellowish-green for a day or so.

Dermatologists

• Skin Cancer
• Lesions
  Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network Protocol AA: Peripheral DR Lesions on Ultrawide-field Fundus Images and Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy Worsening Over Time