Main Office Four Corners Eye Clinic 575 Rivergate Lane #212 Durango, CO 81301 Phone: (970) 259-2202 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Satellite Office Farmington Location 3450 E Main St Farmington, NM 87402 Phone: (970) 259-2202 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Satellite Office Cortez Location 22 S Beech St Cortez, CO 81321 Phone: (970) 259-2202 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Satellite Office Pagosa Springs Location 190 Talisman Dr Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 Phone: (970) 259-2202 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Satellite Office Aztec Location 121 S Main Ave Aztec, NM 87410 Phone: (970) 259-2202 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Satellite Office Bayfield Location 49 W Mill St Bayfield, CO 81122 Phone: (970) 259-2202 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Retina Therapy & Surgery

The retina is the powerhouse of the eye, translating everything we see and transmitting those messages to our brains. At Four Corners Eye Clinic, our eye care experts offer retina therapy and surgery to help people in Farmington, Aztec, and throughout New Mexico and Colorado protect and preserve the function of their retinas so they can continue seeing and enjoying the people, places, and activities they love.

Here, get to know how the retina works and familiarize yourself with some of its common afflictions to learn more about what you can do now to keep your retinas functioning at their peak.

About the Retina

The retina is the innermost layer of the eye, and it’s where the light-sensitive rods and cones reside. The retina is attached to the optic nerve and sends signals to your brain any time you look at something. The retina is a powerful, important structure that plays a key role in healthy vision.

Common Retinal Conditions

Detached Retina

A detached retina is perhaps the most concerning condition related to the retina. When a retina becomes “detached,” it means that part of it has broken away from the supportive structures that hold it in place. This can occur suddenly, especially in the case of an injury, or gradually as the result of disease or a tumor.

Vague symptoms, such as blurriness or floaters, may begin early, but a detached retina caused by an injury creates immediate symptoms. You may notice the illusion of a black “curtain” lowering into your field of vision.

Urgent surgical intervention is the treatment for a detached retina.

Macular Degeneration

This condition affects the macula, a 5-millimeter area of tissue at the very back of the retina. The macula collects the light that is gathered from other structures of the eyes. Macular degeneration is on the rise and is the primary cause of vision loss among aging men and women, especially people in their 80s and older. Macular degeneration is typically categorized as either “wet” or “dry.” These categories are determined by the growth of blood vessels. Wet macular degeneration is the more advanced version of the condition and is characterized by blood vessels growing abnormally.

The most common symptoms of macular degeneration are a blind spot in your central vision or distortion of the central vision. The condition can be detected before it causes any symptoms during a routine eye exam. Presently, it appears that Caucasian people are at the highest risk of developing macular degeneration. Although there is a genetic component, keeping your eyes protected from the sun and managing your blood pressure can reduce your risk. There is no cure for macular degeneration, but some treatments and lifestyle changes can help slow its progression.

Diabetic Retinopathy

People with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes are all at risk for visual complications from the disease. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels in the eye weaken, break down, and form scar tissue on the retina. This condition occurs primarily when diabetes is poorly managed and is characterized by eye pain, early cataract development, and other symptoms. Learn more about diabetic eye care.

Are you caring for someone with a retinal condition? Visit our Eye Care for Your Loved One page.

Healthy vision is our passion, and retina therapy plays a key role. Learn more about your retinal condition and get to know your treatment options when you request an appointment using our online form or call Four Corners Eye Clinic in Durango at (970) 259-2202. We also see patients at our satellite offices in Cortez and Pagosa Springs, CO, as well as Aztec, NM.

Meet Our Physicians

Eric Meyer, M.D.

Board certified in ophthalmology since 2001, Dr. Meyer is an experienced specialist and genuinely enjoys educating and caring for patients. A Minnesota native, Dr. Meyer has trained at clinics in Milwaukee and Pittsburgh before finally settling in Durango in 2001. In his spare time, he's an avid outdoorsman and understands the role that healthy vision plays in the Four Corners lifestyle.

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Joshua Zastrocky, M.D.

A board-certified glaucoma specialist, Dr. Zastrocky has spent much of his professional life researching and mastering treatments for this common condition. After graduating, he trained with leaders in the field at the University of California, Davis, medical center. He's pleased to bring those skills to patients at Four Corners Eye Clinic. Dr. Zastrocky is a Colorado native, and he and his wife are happy to raise their 7 children in his home state.

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John P. Brach, M.D.

Dr. Brach completed medical school with honors and went on to train at the world-famous Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. While Dr. Brach is a well-rounded ophthalmologist, he’s particularly interested in cataract surgery and comprehensive eye care. A native Coloradan, Dr. Brach enjoys the outdoors with his wife, their son and an adopted canine.

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Linda Rose, M.D.

A board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Rose is a fellowship-trained corneal specialist. She was the Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Cornea Service at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center for 12 years before joining Four Corners Eye Clinic. Outside of work, Dr. Rose enjoys a range of activities, including dance, hiking, and skiing. She is a certified yoga instructor and scuba diver.

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Retina Therapy & Surgery Providers:

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