Technology in Dr. Luttrull's Practice
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Technology
Diagnostic Technologies
Dr. Luttrull’s practice employs the latest diagnostic technologies, including computerized digital fundus photography and fundus fluorescein and Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopic (SLO) indocyanine green angiography, ultrasonography (A and B Scan ), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). State-of-the-art high resolution vitreoretinal imaging using the new Heidelberg Spectralis (TM) system is employed offering the best available macular diagnostic testing.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy before vitreous surgery.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy after vitreous surgery.
Optical Coherence Tomogram (OCT) with
B Scan ocular echogram (ultrasound) of vitreomacular traction.
Fundus photo of choroidal neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (“wet form” of ARMD).
Early phase fluorescein angiogram.
Late phase fluorescein angiogram.
Therapeutic Technologies
In addition to invisible diode micropulse laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases, and the Pneumatically Stented Implant procedure for complicated glaucoma, Dr. Luttrull offers other state-of-the art treatments for other common retinal disorders such as age-related macular degeneration. Many new treatments, particularly for Age-related Macular Degeneration, are nearing FDA approval and will be immediately available in Dr. Luttrull’s office. One such drug, pegaptanib sodium, or "Macugen", by Eyetech and Pfizer pharmaceuticals, was the first of a class of bioengineered drugs called "VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) inhibitors" to receive FDA approval in January of 2005. Although safe and effective, Macugen has been largely replaced by newer drugs. "Lucentis", from Genentech, was approved by the FDA for treatment of age-related macular degeneration July of 2006. Lucentis, compared to Macugen, offers improved visual acuity results. Reflecting the rapid advances taking place in the field, bevacizumab sodium, or " Avastin", also by Genentech became available to vitreoretinal specialists in 2005. Avastin is also of benefit to patients with certain complications of diabetic retinopathy and retinal vascular occlusions. While Avastin has not been submitted for approval by the FDA for ophthalmology use, it has been used in our practice and all over the world on hundreds of thousands of patients with outstanding results. There is currently no evidence that Lucentis is either safer or more effective than Avastin. However, Avastin is approximately 100 times less expensive than Lucentis. In the operating room, Dr. Luttrull employs the most advanced surgical techniques and tools, including "no stitch" 23 gauge vitreous surgery. He has been in the forefront of applying and introducing new techniques to Southern California, such as the use of perfluorocarbon liquids in vitreoretinal surgery developed by Dr. Stanley Chang of Columbia University.
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