Retinal Disease Screening at Vision Palace Optical
Your retina is the thin layer of tissue at the back of your eye that captures light and sends it to your brain as vision. When the retina gets sick, you don't always notice right away—but damage that starts early can lead to serious vision loss if you're not watching for it. At Vision Palace Optical on 1723 Avenue U in Brooklyn, we screen for retinal disease during every comprehensive eye exam because catching problems early makes all the difference.
Retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and retinal tears can sneak up on you. You might not feel any pain or see obvious symptoms until damage has already happened. That's why regular eye exams with proper retinal evaluation aren't optional—they're how we protect your vision over the long run.
Common Retinal Diseases We Screen For
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) affects the central part of your retina, called the macula. If you're over 55 or have a family history of AMD, your risk goes up. In Brooklyn, where our patient population includes many seniors on Avenue U and in Sheepshead Bay, AMD screening is one of the most important things we do.
Diabetic Retinopathy happens when high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels in your retina. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you need retinal monitoring every year—no exceptions. The early stages often have no symptoms, which is why a proper dilated eye exam catches it when treatment still works.
Retinal Tears and Detachment can feel like flashes of light or a sudden shower of floaters in your vision. This is an emergency, and if you notice either of those signs, you need to call us right away at (718) 998-8400. We can evaluate you quickly and refer you to a retinal specialist if needed.
Retinal Vein Occlusion happens when blood clots block veins in the retina. It causes blurry vision and floaters. Other conditions we screen for include inherited retinal diseases, epiretinal membrane, and retinal pigment epithelium changes.
What Happens During a Retinal Disease Eye Exam
When you come in for a comprehensive eye exam at Vision Palace Optical, Dr. Sheyko or Dr. Shlivko will dilate your pupils so they can see the back of your eye clearly. We use specialized equipment to examine your retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels. This takes a few minutes, and your vision will be blurry for a couple of hours afterward, so bring sunglasses or plan to have someone pick you up if you prefer.
We may also use optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, which takes detailed cross-section photos of your retina. This technology lets us spot very small changes that could mean early disease. If we see anything that concerns us, your doctor will explain what it is, what it might mean, and what comes next. We'll never leave you wondering.
If we find signs of retinal disease, we'll talk about treatment options or referrals to a retinal specialist in Brooklyn if you need advanced care. Many retinal conditions can be managed, slowed, or prevented from getting worse if they're caught early.
Who Needs Retinal Disease Screening
You should have retinal screening if you're over 60, have diabetes, have high blood pressure, have high cholesterol, smoke, or have a family history of eye disease. If you live in Sheepshead Bay, Gravesend, Brighton Beach, or anywhere else in Brooklyn, and any of those risk factors apply to you, don't wait for symptoms. Schedule an eye exam now.
People with diabetes especially need regular screening. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of vision loss in working-age adults, and it's preventable with good blood sugar control and regular monitoring. If you haven't had your retinas checked in the past year, call us.
Insurance Coverage for Retinal Screening
Most insurance plans cover retinal disease screening as part of a comprehensive eye exam. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, EyeMed, MetroPlus Health Plan, Fidelis Care, 1199SEIU, and many other plans. Coverage varies by plan—call us or verify your benefits through Zocdoc before your visit so you know what to expect.
If you're on Medicare, Part B covers one comprehensive eye exam per year if you have diabetes. If you have Medicaid through New York State, retinal screening is covered. We handle the paperwork and submit claims directly, so all you have to do is show up.
Why Choose Vision Palace Optical for Retinal Screening
We've been serving Brooklyn families since 1995. Dr. Sheyko specializes in posterior segment disease, which includes the retina, and Dr. Shlivko brings personalized care and attention to every patient. We're not a chain. We're not going anywhere. We're your neighbors on Avenue U, and we take retinal disease seriously because it threatens something you can't get back—your sight.
We have the equipment to catch early retinal changes, the experience to explain what you're seeing, and the connections to retinal specialists throughout Brooklyn if you need more advanced care. We speak English, Russian, and Spanish, and we work with patients of all ages and backgrounds across Sheepshead Bay and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have my retina checked?
If you have no risk factors and no eye disease history, an annual comprehensive eye exam is enough. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or are over 65, we recommend a screening every year. If you've already been diagnosed with a retinal condition, your doctor will tell you how often you need follow-ups.
Can I prevent retinal disease?
You can reduce your risk. Keep your blood sugar and blood pressure under control, don't smoke, eat foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin (like leafy greens), wear sunglasses to protect from UV damage, and get regular eye exams. You can't prevent all retinal disease, but early detection stops vision loss.
Does retinal disease hurt?
No. Most retinal diseases don't cause pain in the early stages, which is why they're dangerous. By the time you notice blurry vision or floaters, damage may have already happened. That's why screening matters.
What happens if retinal disease is found?
Your doctor will explain the diagnosis, whether it needs treatment now or just monitoring, and what comes next. Some conditions are managed with medication, injections, or laser treatment. Others need referral to a retinal specialist. We'll make sure you understand your options.
Does Medicaid cover retinal screening in Brooklyn?
Yes. Retinal screening is included in a comprehensive eye exam, which Medicaid covers. We accept MetroPlus Health Plan, Fidelis Care, and other Medicaid plans in New York. Coverage varies—call us at (718) 998-8400 to confirm your specific plan benefits.
What's the difference between floaters and a sign of retinal disease?
A few floaters are normal and harmless. But if you suddenly see a lot of new floaters, flashes of light, or a dark shadow moving across your vision, call us right away. These can be signs of a retinal tear or detachment, which need urgent evaluation.
Book your retinal disease screening at Vision Palace Optical—book through Zocdoc or call us at (718) 998-8400. We're at 1723 Avenue U in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, open Monday through Saturday. Your retina is worth protecting.