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Retina Health Center offers patients first non-surgical treatment for debilitating eye disease

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Retina Health Center is now offering Jetrea,  a new non-surgical treatment option for patients with symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), a progressive, debilitating eye disease. Left untreated, VMA may lead to visual distortion, loss in visual acuity and central blindness. Recently approved the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Jetrea is the first drug approved to treat VMA. The medication is injected into the patient’s affected eye once as a single dose. The alternative treatment for VMA is a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy.

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VMA can contribute to eye problems if the vitreous (the jelly in the center of the eye) starts to move away from the macula (the center of the retina responsible for reading vision). This movement can lead to damage of the macula due to pulling or tugging on the macula.

Jetrea is an enzyme that breaks down the proteins in the eye responsible for VMA. The drug allows the vitrous and macula to separate properly and reduces the likelihood of tugging.

“Jetrea’s approval is a significant advancement in treatment for patients with VMA,” said Dr. Alexander M. Eaton, director of Retina Health Center. “We are pleased to offer patients at Retina Health Center with a non-surgical option to treat this debilitating disease.”

Retina Health Center and the Macular Degeneration Research Center were established in 1993 by Dr. Alexander M. Eaton, a long-time Southwest Florida resident who has been practicing ophthalmology in Lee and Collier counties for more than 17 years. Eaton has been the principal investigator for numerous studies to prevent and treat macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, branch and central retinal vein occlusion. For more information on the latest studies or to make an appointment, call 239-337-3337 in Fort Myers or 239-793-5200 in Naples.

Locations

We have two convenient locations in Southwest Florida. View the nearest location to you or get directions below.

    See Our Google Reviews

    Google
    5.0/5
    Oct 11, 2023
    Google Retina Health Center: Alexander Eaton M.D.
    I have been treated by numerous macular specialists in Michigan and Florida over the years. I have found Dr Eaton and his associates to be the top of this group. He is smart, courteous, and carrying. His staff are polite and competent. With a recent severe medical eye emergency he stayed late, and followed up to assure my eye was successfully treated.
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    5.0/5
    Jun 23, 2023
    Google Retina Health Center: Fort Myers
    My Dr. here is amazing..The best I could ask for…
    Google
    5.0/5
    Jun 21, 2023
    Google Retina Health Center: Fort Myers
    Dr Gravelsen is best giving shots in the eye. I have shots for over 15 years ever month and she is the best.

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    October 9, 2018
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    Read More… from Ensuring Eye Safety During the Solar Eclipse

    alt_dr_alexander_eaton_introduces_xactdrop_new_device_for_improving_eye_drop_delivery

    Retina Health Center Founder and Director Dr. Alexander Eaton has created and introduced XactDrop, an eye drop applicator guide designed to help patients more accurately deliver eye drops. XactDrop is suitable for people of all ages and can be used by anyone using eye drops, including cataract and glaucoma patients, contact lens wearers, those using […]

    Read More… from Dr. Alexander Eaton introduces XactDrop, new device for improving eye drop delivery

    alt_placeholder

    Retina Health Center has presented results of a national, multi-center study of ILUVIEN involving retinal patients from four centers including Cincinnati Eye, Georgia Retina, Retina Health Center and Southern Eye. The findings of the study were presented at the 18th EURETINA Congress in Vienna, Austria by Dr. Alexander Eaton, founder and director of Retina Health Center […]

    Read More… from Multi-center study of ILUVIEN implant treatments demonstrates improvements for patients with vision loss due to diabetic macular edema

    For more information on the latest studies or to make an appointment,
    call 239-544-3279 in Fort Myers or 239-766-7140 in Naples.

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