Disorders of the retina which are treated non-surgically are very common (age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions etc.) and, if mild or long standing, may be dealt with in primary care, primary care ophthalmology, screening services and general ophthalmic services.
Medical retina (MR) disease standards in this document apply to care of the common conditions at the severe or acute end of the spectrum, those requiring invasive procedures and more serious or unusual conditions such as posterior uveitis or unusual retinal vasculopathies, which are more appropriately managed in a dedicated MR service.