Some insurance plans require a referral or authorization before seeing a retina specialist, while others allow patients to schedule directly. If you are unsure, our office can help review what may be needed based on your insurance plan. Referring doctors may also send records, imaging, or clinical information before the visit so that we can better understand the reason for the referral.

Symptoms of a retinal tear or retinal detachment can include new floaters, flashing lights, blurry vision, a shadow, or a curtain-like area of missing vision. These symptoms should be evaluated promptly because retinal tears can sometimes progress to retinal detachment. If you develop sudden new flashes, floaters, or a curtain in your vision, call an eye care professional for guidance. If symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening, seek urgent eye care.

Yes. Simi Valley Retina Specialists evaluates and treats age-related macular degeneration, including dry and wet forms of the disease. Evaluation may include a dilated retinal examination, optical coherence tomography, also known as OCT, and other retinal imaging when needed. Depending on the type and severity of macular degeneration, care may include monitoring, lifestyle counseling, nutritional supplementation, intravitreal injections for wet macular degeneration, or other treatment options for select patients.

Yes. We evaluate and treat diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. Diabetes can damage small blood vessels in the retina and may cause bleeding, swelling, abnormal blood vessel growth, or vision loss. Treatment depends on the severity of disease and may include monitoring, intravitreal injections, retinal laser treatment, or surgery in advanced cases. Regular dilated retinal examinations are important because diabetic retinopathy can progress before patients notice vision changes.

Yes. Intravitreal injections, also called eye injections or retina injections, are commonly performed in the office. These treatments are used for several retina conditions, including wet macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion. The eye is numbed and carefully cleaned before the injection. Many patients need a series of treatments over time, with the schedule adjusted based on examination findings and retinal imaging.

An intravitreal injection is a procedure in which medication is placed inside the eye, into the vitreous cavity. This allows medication to reach the retina directly. Intravitreal injections are commonly used to treat swelling, leakage, and abnormal blood vessel activity in retinal diseases such as wet macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion. The procedure is performed with numbing medication and antiseptic preparation to reduce discomfort and infection risk.

Yes. Retinal laser treatment may be used for conditions such as retinal tears, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and certain abnormal retinal blood vessels or leaking areas. Laser treatment can help seal a retinal tear or treat areas of retinal disease depending on the diagnosis. Retinal laser is typically performed in the office. The type and amount of laser treatment depends on the condition and the appearance of the retina.

Simi Valley Retina Specialists is located at 1687 Erringer Road, Suite 102, Simi Valley, CA 93065. The office serves patients from Simi Valley, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Santa Clarita, and the Conejo Valley. For directions or appointment questions, call (805) 694-9663.

Referring doctors can send patients to Simi Valley Retina Specialists for evaluation and treatment of urgent and non-urgent retina conditions. Helpful referral information includes the patient’s name, date of birth, contact information, diagnosis or reason for referral, relevant exam findings, imaging if available, and insurance information. For urgent symptoms such as suspected retinal tear, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, or sudden vision loss, please call the office directly. Visit our Referring Doctors page to send a referral.

Please bring your insurance card, photo ID, medication list, and any recent eye records or imaging. If another eye doctor referred you, it is helpful for our office to receive the referral notes and test results before your visit. Most retina visits involve dilation, so your vision may be blurry and light-sensitive afterward. Many patients prefer to have someone drive them home for their first visit.

Most retina evaluations require dilation so that the doctor can examine the retina, macula, and vitreous in detail. Dilation usually causes blurry near vision and light sensitivity for several hours. Retinal imaging, such as OCT or fundus photography, may also be performed depending on the reason for the visit. If you are concerned about driving after dilation, consider bringing sunglasses and arranging transportation.

Urgent retina evaluation may be needed for symptoms such as sudden new floaters, flashes of light, a curtain or shadow in the vision, sudden vision loss, eye trauma, or concern for retinal detachment. Some conditions can worsen quickly if not evaluated and treated in time. If you are having new or severe symptoms, call an eye care professional promptly for guidance or seek urgent eye care.