Welcome to Tucson Retina Consultants
Dr. Pedro Monsalve
Dr. Pedro Monsalve is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon dedicated to providing exceptional, patient centered care for individuals with retinal diseases. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the retina and vitreous, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, retinal tears and detachments, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, inherited retinal diseases, uveitis, and other complex retinal disorders.
Dr. Monsalve completed a research fellowship in electrophysiology and ocular pathology at the world renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, where he participated in clinical research and developed expertise in ocular pathology.
What is the Retina?
Important parts include
Macula
The center of the retina. It helps with reading, driving, faces, and fine detail.
Peripheral retina
The side retina. It helps with side vision and motion.
Optic nerve
The cable that sends visual messages to the brain.
Vitreous
The clear gel that fills the middle of the eye.
Retinal blood vessels
Tiny vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to the retina.
What does a retina specialist do?
You may be referred to a retina specialist for:
- Diabetes-related eye disease
- Macular degeneration
- Retinal tears or detachment
- Flashes and floaters
- Blood vessel problems in the retina
- Macular holes or scar tissue
- Eye inflammation
- Inherited retinal disease
Our Retina Services
Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina. This is called diabetic retinopathy.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, affects the macula. It usually affects people over age 50.
Retinal Tears and Retinal Detachment
A retinal tear is a break in the retina. Fluid can pass through the tear and lift the retina away from the back wall of the eye.
Posterior Vitreous Detachment, Flashes, and Floaters
The vitreous gel naturally changes with age. It can pull away from the retina.
Retinal Vein Occlusion
A retinal vein occlusion happens when a vein draining blood from the retina becomes blocked.
Epiretinal Membrane and Macular Hole
An epiretinal membrane is a thin layer of scar tissue on the macula. It can wrinkle the retina. A macular hole is a small opening
Your Visit and Home Monitoring
What to bring
- Medication list
- Allergy list
- Diabetes and blood pressure information
- Eye drop names
- Glasses
- Driver or family member if dilation affects you
- Questions you want answered
Helpful questions
- What is my diagnosis?
- Is my condition urgent, active, stable, or being watched?
- What changes should make me call?
- What treatment options fit my eye?
- How often will I need follow-up?
- What improvement is realistic?
Home checks
- Wear your reading glasses.
- Cover one eye at a time.
- Look at the center dot
- Call if lines become wavy, missing, or dark.
Emergency Symptoms
- Sudden vision loss
- A curtain, veil, or shadow
- New flashes with many new floaters
- Eye pain after an injection or surgery
- New severe redness with light sensitivity
- Sudden distorted central vision
- Vision loss with stroke symptoms