The chronic and degenerative eye conditions we support with Netra Restoration Therapy.
Netra Restoration Therapy (NRT) is a non-invasive, integrative and complementary eye care program for chronic and degenerative eye conditions, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, diabetic retinopathy, optic nerve atrophy, and dry eye. Browse by category, or search a condition by its name or any of its other names.
45 conditions
Retinal / Macular
retinal-macular
Optic Nerve / Neuro-Ophthalmic
optic-nerve-neuro-ophthalmic
Glaucoma
glaucoma
Corneal
corneal
Refractive
refractive
Ocular Surface / Systemic Autoimmune
ocular-surface-systemic-autoimmune
Inflammatory
inflammatory
Retinal / Macular
ARMD - Dry
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A gradual thinning of the macula that slowly blurs central vision — often first noticed as difficulty reading or recognizing faces.
Netra Eye Institute provides individualized, integrative support for selected chronic, degenerative and complex eye conditions. Patients commonly contact us about retinal and macular disease, optic nerve damage, glaucoma, inherited retinal disease, corneal disorders, dry eye, ocular inflammation and persistent symptoms following refractive surgery.
Our signature program, Netra Restoration Therapy (NRT), is a non-invasive, complementary approach that may incorporate acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic principles and individualized lifestyle guidance. NRT is designed to work alongside care from your ophthalmologist, retina specialist, glaucoma specialist, cornea specialist or neuro-ophthalmologist. It does not replace medically necessary eye drops, injections, laser treatment, surgery, genetic counseling or urgent medical care.
Use this directory to find your diagnosed condition, understand which part of the visual system it affects and open the corresponding condition guide. A condition appearing here does not automatically mean that NRT is appropriate for every person. Candidacy depends on the diagnosis, disease stage, current treatment, medical history, available testing and realistic goals.
The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The macula is its central area and is responsible for detailed, straight-ahead vision used for reading, recognizing faces and seeing fine detail. Retinal and macular disorders may affect central vision, peripheral vision, contrast, color perception or the visual field.
Also called: Dry AMD, ARMD dry, age related macular degeneration
Dry AMD is a chronic macular disease associated with drusen and gradual changes in the retinal pigment epithelium. It typically causes slowly progressive blur, distortion or blank areas in central vision while peripheral vision remains.
Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath or within the retina and leak fluid or blood near the macula. It can cause rapid distortion or central vision loss and requires prompt evaluation by a retina specialist.
Also called: Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, vitelliform
Best disease is an inherited macular dystrophy that produces characteristic material beneath the macula. Its onset and progression vary, but it can affect central visual acuity and cause distortion.
Also called: CSCR, CSR, central serous retinopathy
CSCR occurs when fluid collects beneath the central retina, often producing blurred, dim or distorted central vision. Some cases resolve, while recurrent or chronic disease can produce lasting retinal changes.
CME describes cyst-like pockets of fluid within the macula. It can occur after eye surgery or in association with inflammation, retinal vascular disease and other eye conditions, causing central blur or distortion.
DME is swelling in the macula caused by leakage from retinal blood vessels damaged by diabetes. It can occur at different stages of diabetic retinopathy and may reduce detailed central vision.
Diabetic retinopathy develops when diabetes damages retinal blood vessels. Changes can range from small areas of leakage to abnormal new blood vessel growth, bleeding, retinal swelling and vision-threatening complications.
Macular dystrophy is a broad term for inherited disorders that primarily damage the macula. The age of onset, pattern of retinal change and rate of vision loss depend on the specific genetic condition.
Macular edema is swelling of the macula caused by fluid leakage. It is not a single disease and may result from diabetes, retinal vein occlusion, inflammation, surgery or other retinal disorders.
A macular hole is a small opening in the central retina. It may cause central blur, distortion, difficulty reading or a missing spot in the center of vision and should be evaluated by a retina specialist.
Also called: MacTel, mac tel, juxtafoveal telangiectasia
Macular telangiectasia is an uncommon disorder involving abnormal capillaries and progressive changes near the macula, most often in both eyes. It can affect reading, central detail and contrast sensitivity.
Also called: pathologic myopia, degenerative myopia
Myopic degeneration occurs when severe nearsightedness is associated with stretching and thinning of tissues at the back of the eye. It can lead to macular damage, abnormal blood vessel growth, retinal tears or retinal detachment.
Pattern dystrophy refers to a group of usually inherited disorders in which pigment and waste material form characteristic patterns in the macula. Symptoms and progression vary and may sometimes resemble age-related macular degeneration.
PCV involves abnormal branching blood vessels beneath the retina with polyp-like dilations that may leak or bleed. Because it can resemble wet AMD, specialist imaging is often important for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Also called: RVO, CRVO, BRVO, eye stroke, eye vein occlusion
Retinal vein occlusion occurs when a vein carrying blood away from the retina becomes blocked. The resulting bleeding and swelling can cause sudden painless blur or vision loss and requires prompt ophthalmic evaluation.
Retinoschisis is a separation between layers of the retina. It may be inherited or age-related and can affect peripheral or central vision depending on its type and location.
Inherited retinal diseases are caused by genetic variants that affect retinal cells or supporting tissues. Some primarily affect the eyes, while syndromic conditions can also involve hearing, balance or other body systems. Diagnosis may include retinal imaging, visual-field testing, electrodiagnostic testing, family history and genetic counseling or testing.
RP is a group of inherited retinal diseases that progressively damage photoreceptor cells. Night blindness and loss of peripheral vision are common early features, although the age of onset and rate of progression differ widely.
Rod-cone dystrophy describes an inherited pattern in which rod photoreceptors are affected before cone photoreceptors. It commonly begins with night-vision and peripheral-field problems and may later affect central and color vision.
Also called: Stargardt macular dystrophy, juvenile macular degeneration
Stargardt disease is an inherited retinal disorder that primarily affects the macula, often beginning in childhood or young adulthood. It usually causes progressive central vision loss and difficulty seeing fine detail.
Usher syndrome is an inherited condition that combines retinitis pigmentosa with hearing loss; some types also affect balance. Coordinated eye, hearing and genetic care is important because the condition involves more than vision alone.
The optic nerve carries visual information from the retina to the brain. Damage can affect visual acuity, contrast, color perception or part of the visual field. Because optic neuropathies have many possible causes, accurate diagnosis and management by an ophthalmologist or neuro-ophthalmologist are essential.
Also called: NAION, ischemic optic neuropathy, eye stroke optic nerve
NAION is an optic nerve injury associated with reduced blood supply to the front of the optic nerve. It typically causes sudden, painless vision loss in one eye and needs prompt medical assessment to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate relevant health risks.
Optic nerve atrophy describes lasting damage and loss of nerve fibers rather than one specific disease. Possible causes include glaucoma, reduced blood flow, inflammation, compression, trauma, toxicity and inherited disorders.
Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve. It may cause pain with eye movement, reduced vision, lower contrast and altered color perception, and can be associated with neurologic or autoimmune conditions.
Glaucoma is a group of progressive optic nerve diseases that can cause irreversible visual-field loss. Eye pressure is an important modifiable risk factor, but glaucoma assessment also considers the optic nerve, retinal nerve-fiber layer, drainage angle, corneal thickness, visual fields and other clinical findings.
Also called: NTG, low tension glaucoma, low-pressure glaucoma
Normal-tension glaucoma causes characteristic optic nerve and visual-field damage even though measured eye pressure remains within the statistically normal range. Ongoing glaucoma-specialist care is necessary to monitor progression and manage risk factors.
Also called: POAG, open angle glaucoma, high eye pressure
Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. It usually progresses gradually as optic nerve damage and corresponding visual-field loss develop, often without noticeable early symptoms.
The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye. Its shape, transparency, hydration and nerve function all contribute to clear, comfortable vision. Corneal problems may cause blur, glare, fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, reduced sensation or pain.
Also called: map dot fingerprint, lattice dystrophy
Corneal dystrophies are usually inherited disorders in which material accumulates or cells change within one or more corneal layers. The effect on vision and comfort depends on the specific dystrophy and the layer involved.
Also called: ectasia, corneal thinning, cone shaped cornea
Corneal ectasia is progressive thinning and outward bulging of the cornea. The resulting irregular shape can cause increasing astigmatism, blur, ghosting and glare.
Also called: corneal nerve damage, reduced corneal sensation
Corneal neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of corneal nerves. It may alter corneal sensitivity, tear-film regulation and healing and can be associated with dryness, light sensitivity, numbness or pain.
Also called: neuropathic corneal pain, keratoneuralgia, phantom corneal pain
Corneal neuralgia is pain caused by abnormal nerve signaling in or beyond the cornea. Symptoms can be severe even when routine examination shows limited surface disease, so evaluation may require both ocular-surface and nerve-focused assessment.
Also called: Fuchs dystrophy, Fuch's, corneal swelling morning blur
Fuchs dystrophy causes gradual loss of endothelial cells that normally keep the cornea clear. Fluid can accumulate, producing morning blur, glare, halos and, in later stages, persistent swelling or discomfort.
Also called: KC, cone shaped cornea, irregular cornea
Keratoconus is a progressive condition in which the cornea thins and becomes more cone-shaped. It can cause irregular astigmatism, blur, glare and frequent changes in vision correction.
Also called: post lasik ectasia, iatrogenic keratectasia
Post-LASIK ectasia is an uncommon complication in which the cornea progressively thins or bulges after laser vision-correction surgery. It can cause worsening irregular astigmatism, ghosting and reduced visual quality.
The ocular surface includes the cornea, conjunctiva, eyelids, tear film and tear-producing system. Surface disease may arise from tear deficiency, excessive evaporation, eyelid-gland dysfunction, inflammation, medication effects or systemic autoimmune disease.
Dry eye disease occurs when the tear film does not adequately lubricate and protect the eye. Symptoms may include burning, grittiness, watering, redness, light sensitivity, fluctuating vision and eye fatigue.
Also called: Sjogrens syndrome, autoimmune dry eye
Sjogren's is a systemic autoimmune disease that commonly reduces tear and saliva production. Ocular care focuses on protecting the eye surface while the patient's medical team evaluates and manages the broader condition.
Inflammation can affect the cornea, uvea, choroid, retina, retinal blood vessels or optic nerve. Causes include autoimmune disease, infection, medication reactions and conditions limited to the eye. Correctly identifying the cause is critical because treatment differs and some inflammatory eye diseases threaten vision quickly.
Also called: acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy
APMPPE is a rare inflammatory chorioretinal disorder associated with multiple placoid lesions near the retinal pigment epithelium. It can cause sudden blurred vision, blind spots or light phenomena and warrants specialist assessment.
Choroiditis is inflammation of the choroid, the vascular layer beneath the retina, and often occurs as a form of posterior uveitis or chorioretinitis. Symptoms can include floaters, blurred vision, light flashes or blind spots.
Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea and may be infectious or noninfectious. Pain, redness, light sensitivity, discharge or reduced vision, especially in a contact-lens wearer, requires prompt ophthalmic evaluation.
Panuveitis is inflammation involving the front, middle and back portions of the eye. Because it can affect multiple structures and cause significant complications, it requires ophthalmic diagnosis, treatment and monitoring.
Retinal vasculitis is inflammation affecting retinal blood vessels. It may be associated with autoimmune, inflammatory or infectious disease and can lead to leakage, reduced circulation, swelling or vision loss.
Uveitis is a broad term for inflammation inside the eye. Depending on whether the front, middle or back of the eye is involved, symptoms may include redness, pain, floaters, light sensitivity or blurred vision.
White dot syndromes are a group of uncommon inflammatory disorders affecting the retina, retinal pigment epithelium and choroid. The specific diagnosis depends on the lesion pattern, symptoms, imaging findings and clinical course.
Refractive conditions occur when the eye does not focus light precisely on the retina. Some people also experience persistent optical or surface symptoms after refractive surgery. A comprehensive examination helps distinguish focusing problems from corneal, retinal, optic-nerve or ocular-surface disease.
Also called: irregular astigmatism, blurred ghosting
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens has an uneven curvature, causing light to focus at more than one point. It may produce blur, ghosting, squinting, headaches or eye strain at near or far distances.
Also called: failed LASIK, post lasik problems, halos after lasik, starbursts
Some patients have residual or returning refractive error, dry eye, glare, halos, irregular astigmatism or other complications after LASIK. The term failed LASIK covers several different problems, so identifying the underlying cause is the first step.
Myopia causes distant objects to appear blurred because light focuses in front of the retina. High or pathologic myopia also raises the risk of retinal, macular and glaucoma-related complications that require ongoing eye care.
Also called: age related near vision loss, reading vision
Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus at close range as the natural lens becomes less flexible with age. It commonly becomes noticeable in the forties and progresses over time.
The eyelids protect the ocular surface and help distribute the tear film. Eyelid position can affect comfort, appearance and, in some cases, the visual field.
Also called: droopy eyelid, blepharoptosis, drooping eyelid
Ptosis is drooping of the upper eyelid. It may be present from birth or develop with age, trauma, surgery, muscle disease or nerve dysfunction and can obstruct vision when severe.
How Netra evaluates whether integrative care may be appropriate
Netra evaluates the person as well as the diagnosis. During the candidacy process, the clinical team may review your diagnosis, current symptoms, disease stability, medical history, conventional treatment plan and available eye-test results. Helpful records may include recent examination notes, optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual-field tests, retinal photographs, angiography, corneal topography or other testing relevant to your condition.
This review helps determine whether an NRT consultation is appropriate, what goals are reasonable and whether additional evaluation by an ophthalmologist or another physician should come first. Netra does not ask patients to discontinue prescribed treatment, and changes to eye drops, injections, medications or surgical plans should be made only with the prescribing or treating physician.
Eye-condition questions
What eye conditions does Netra Eye Institute support?
Netra most commonly evaluates patients with chronic or complex retinal, macular, optic nerve, glaucoma, corneal, inherited retinal, ocular-surface and inflammatory eye conditions. Examples include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, glaucoma, NAION, optic nerve atrophy, Fuchs dystrophy and dry eye. Each patient is reviewed individually.
Does a condition appearing in this directory mean I am an NRT candidate?
No. The directory identifies conditions for which patients may contact Netra or for which the institute has educational resources. Candidacy depends on the exact diagnosis, stage and stability of disease, existing treatment, test findings, overall health and realistic therapeutic goals.
Does Netra Restoration Therapy replace conventional ophthalmology care?
No. NRT is complementary care. Patients should continue appropriate monitoring and treatment with their ophthalmologist and other medical specialists, including prescribed pressure-lowering drops, injections, laser procedures, surgery or systemic treatment when indicated.
What records should I provide for a candidacy review?
Provide your most recent eye-examination report and any testing relevant to your diagnosis. Depending on the condition, that may include OCT scans, visual fields, retinal photographs, angiography, corneal topography, electroretinography, genetic test results, surgical history and a current medication list.
What if my eye condition is not listed?
Some rare conditions and combinations of diagnoses cannot be represented in a general directory. Contact Netra with the exact diagnosis and recent records. The team can tell you whether a consultation is appropriate or whether another type of specialist should evaluate the condition first.
What should I do about sudden or rapidly worsening vision?
Seek urgent medical eye care. Sudden vision loss, new flashes or floaters, a curtain-like shadow, severe pain, trauma or a red, light-sensitive eye may require immediate diagnosis and treatment. Do not delay urgent care while waiting for a Netra consultation.
Don’t see your condition or need help finding it?
Tell us the diagnosis given by your eye specialist, when your symptoms began, what treatments you currently receive and which recent test results are available. Netra Eye Institute can review this information and advise whether an integrative-care consultation may be appropriate.
Netra Eye Institute is located at 5001 Hadley Road, Suite 210, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080. Call (732) 503-9999 for scheduling assistance.
Clinical review
Clinical content reviewed by: Dr. Saikumar Gandapodi, Founder and Director, Netra Eye Institute Last reviewed: August 2026 Next review due: August 2027
This page is for education and does not provide a diagnosis or individualized treatment recommendation. Results vary, and no treatment can be guaranteed to improve vision or stop progression. Netra Restoration Therapy is complementary to, not a replacement for, conventional medical eye care.
