Retina: The Retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. When light enters the eye, the retina changes the light into nerve signals. The retina then sends these signals along the optic nerve to the brain. Without retina function, the eye cannot communicate with the brain, making vision impossible.
Other resources:
- Diabetes, Macular degenration: https://www.eylea.us
- Diabetes: http://www.ozurdex.com
Dr. Sam E. Mansour, M.D., MSc, FRCS(C), FACS
Dr. Sam Mansour has both extensive experience and expertise in the management of patients with vitreoretinal disorders. He received both his M.D. and M.Sc. (Neuroscience) degrees from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. During that time, he was awarded two competitive and prestigious scholarships: The Ontario Graduate Scholarship and the McMaster University Scholarship, 1982 – 1984. Thereafter, he completed an internship in comprehensive medicine at the University of Western Ontario. Later Dr. Mansour went on to complete his residency in ophthalmology at the University of Toronto.
In 1991, Dr. Mansour was awarded the E.A. Baker Fellowship (1991- 1992). He then came to the United States to complete his fellowship in vitreoretinal and laser eye surgery. This was completed at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. After completion of his fellowship, Dr. Mansour was retained by Stanford University where he was appointed as Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology. He was also Director of the Retina service and Associate Chief of the Division of Ophthalmology at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC), a major teaching hospital in the Stanford University Health Care system. He remained there until he joined the faculty at George Washington University in 2003 where he is currently a Clinical Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology.
Throughout these years, Dr. Mansour has been involved in several areas of both basic science and clinical retinal research. He has presented his extensive research at numerous national and international conferences including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. He has also authored and co-authored several articles in peer review journals including Archives of Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, Retina, the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science and the New England Journal of Medicine. In addition, he has authored several chapters in both medical and ophthalmology textbooks.
In addition to many publications and presentations, Dr. Mansour continues to be an actively involved instructor for the George Washington University medical students and ophthalmology residents. Since the completion of his fellowship to the present time, he has been an instructor at several American Academy of Ophthalmology courses.
Dr. Mansour is board certified in ophthalmology from the American Board of Ophthalmology and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American College of Surgeons. He is also an active member of the American Society of Retinal Surgeons, Virginia Society of Eye Physicians and the Northern Virginia Academy of Ophthalmology.
The Eye Center and Dr. Mansour are firmly committed to providing the most compassionate and state-of-the-art care to patients with any vitreoretinal disorders. Diagnostic and therapeutic techniques include:
- Color fundus photography
- Fluorescein angiography
- High-speed Indocyanine Green Angiography
- Optical Coherence Tomography
- Ocular echography
- Visual field perimetry
- Green, Yellow, Red laser Photocoagulation
- Photodynamic Therapy
- Cryotherapy
- Pneumatic retinopexy
- Intravitreal Pharmacotherapy
We look forward to providing the local community with a full range of vitreoretinal services. Our kind and courteous staff is available to answer your questions at any time.
Dr. Marena Patronas, MD
Dr. Marena Patronas specializes in Diseases of the Retina and Vitreous. Her clinical interests are centered on diagnosing and treating complex retinal disease, such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, epiretinal membranes, macular holes, retinal vascular disease and macular degeneration. She is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Prior to joining the The Eye Center, she was Assistant Professor for the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine. She enjoyed teaching and working closely with ophthalmology residents and medical students. While at the University of Maryland, she was the certified ophthalmologist in the multicenter EDIC (Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications) trial, which was the follow up study for the historic DCCT (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial). Dr. Patronas also participated in several clinical trials at the University, exploring the effect of chemotherapeutic agents on the eye and retina.
Dr. Patronas received her Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from Georgetown University and her Doctor of Medicine from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She completed a transitional year internship at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in Queens, NY and an Ophthalmology Residency at St. Vincent Catholic Medical Center-Manhattan, New York Medical College. She also completed a fellowship in Vitreo-retinal surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School in Boston.
Dr. Patronas has also previously practiced in Ohio with the Retina Associates in Cleveland and the Retina Group of Columbus.
The staff at the The Eye Center is very pleased to have Dr. Patronas as an Associate Physician and Surgeon, who will see patients in both the Leesburg and Warrenton offices.
We look forward to providing the local community with a full range of vitreoretinal services. Our kind and courteous staff is available to answer your questions at any time.
Dr. Alessa Crossan, M.D.
Specialty: retina and vitreous diseases, diabetic eye care and retinal surgery
Dr. Crossan completed her undergraduate degree in environmental science at Stanford University. She earned her medical degree and completed an ophthalmology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed a vitreoretinal surgical fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Dr Crossan is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology as well as the American Society of Retina Specialists.
Dr. Crossan is firmly committed to providing the most compassionate and state-of-the-art care to patients with any vitreoretinal disorders. Diagnostic and therapeutic techniques include:
- Color fundus photography
- Fluorescein angiography
- High-speed indocyanine green angiography
- Optical Coherence Tomography
- Ocular echography
- Green, yellow, red laser photocoagulation
- Photodynamic therapy
- Cryotherapy
- Pneumatic retinopexy
- Intravitreal pharmacotherapy
We look forward to providing the local community with a full range of vitreoretinal services. Our kind and courteous staff is available to answer your questions at any time.
Retina Conditions – Eye Health Videos
Below are several Retina Conditions and Eye Health educational videos. Each topic has a playlist with multiple videos you can view to learn more about that topic. Also see our Eye Health – Video Library and the Eye Health Education pages for more eye health information. The Eye Health Education information is provided only as a guide to help our patients and visitors to learn more about eye health. You should seek the advice of an eye care professional. Please contact us if you have any questions or to schedule your eye exam.
Choroidal Nevus
Macula