Who Is the Retina Specialist at Sanghvi Eye Hospital?

Care for retinal conditions is led by Dr. Archana Gotecha, an ophthalmologist with more than 22 years of experience and over 14 years as a specialist. She qualified MBBS from MGM Institute of Health Science, holds DOMS and DNB in Ophthalmology from LTMMC Sion in Mumbai and FCPS in General Surgery from the same institution. She is registered with the Maharashtra Medical Council under registration number 31367 and has practised at the same Malad West hospital since 2005.

Her retinal practice centres on the conditions most patients in Malad actually face. These include diabetic retinopathy in the city's large diabetic population, age-related macular degeneration in older adults, retinal changes from high blood pressure and high myopia, and the urgent symptoms (floaters, flashes, shadows) that signal a possible retinal tear or detachment.

Authentic Retina Surgery and Retinal Disease Statistics

The table below gathers the most relevant verified figures for retinal care in Mumbai and Malad. Each row names the metric, the figure and the original source so the data can be checked independently.

What Is a Retina Specialist?

A retina specialist is an ophthalmologist who focuses on diseases of the retina, the macula and the vitreous, which is the gel that fills the back of the eye. The role centres on three things: detecting retinal disease early through detailed examination, managing conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and ARMD over the long term and coordinating surgical care promptly when it is needed.

It is important to be clear about what the role covers at our hospital. Dr. Gotecha provides retinal evaluation, diagnosis, medical management and structured referral to a vitreoretinal surgeon for procedures such as vitrectomy or scleral buckling. This combined model is well suited to most retinal patients, since the great majority need diagnosis and ongoing management rather than complex surgery.

What Retinal Conditions Are Managed at the Hospital?

The retina specialist at Sanghvi Eye Hospital evaluates and manages the full range of common retinal problems. Each is explained below.

Diabetic Retinopathy

High blood sugar damages the small blood vessels of the retina over the years. The damage starts silently and can progress to diabetic macular oedema or proliferative retinopathy if not caught early. A dilated retina examination at least once a year is the most powerful step a diabetic patient can take to protect their sight. Read more about diabetic retinopathy in Malad.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)

ARMD damages the macula, the central part of the retina, and is a leading cause of central vision loss after the age of 50. The retina specialist diagnoses the type (dry or wet), monitors progression and arranges injection therapy when wet ARMD is found. The full page on ARMD treatment in Malad West covers this in detail.

Retinal Tears and Detachment

Sudden floaters, flashes of light or a shadow moving across the vision can signal a retinal tear or early detachment. These are eye emergencies. The specialist examines the retina at once and arranges urgent referral to a vitreoretinal surgeon if a detachment is confirmed, since outcomes depend strongly on the time between symptom and surgery.

High Myopia and Retinal Risk

People with high spectacle power, known as high myopia, carry a higher lifetime risk of retinal tears, detachment and macular changes. Regular dilated retina checks at the hospital track these eyes and catch problems before they affect vision.

Hypertensive Retinopathy and Vascular Changes

Long-standing high blood pressure leaves marks on the retinal vessels, and these changes also predict heart and stroke risk. A retina examination provides useful information well beyond eye health alone.

Retinal Vein and Artery Occlusions

A sudden blockage of a retinal vein or artery causes sudden vision loss in part of the field. The specialist diagnoses the type, manages the underlying causes alongside the patient's physician and arranges treatment such as anti-VEGF injection where indicated.

Who Should See a Retina Specialist in Malad?

Not every eye complaint needs a retina specialist, but several groups should have a retinal evaluation as a matter of routine. Booking a check is the right step if any of the following apply.

• Diabetic patients: A dilated retina check at least once a year, regardless of vision.
• Adults over 50: Routine retina screening for ARMD and other age-related changes.
• High myopia (high spectacle power): Regular retina checks to detect early retinal weakness.
• Sudden floaters or flashes: Prompt examination to rule out a retinal tear.
• A shadow or curtain in vision: Treat as an emergency and seek care the same day.
• Family history of retinal disease: A baseline check to plan ongoing screening.

How Is a Retina Examination Performed?

A retina examination is detailed, painless and highly informative. It is the foundation of every retinal diagnosis.

1. Vision is measured for each eye, with and without your current glasses.
2. Eye pressure is checked, since glaucoma often coexists with retinal disease.
3. Dilating drops are placed in each eye to widen the pupil, which gives the specialist a clear view of the retina.
4. The retina is examined under magnification, from the macula at the centre to the peripheral retina at the edges.
5. Findings are explained in plain language, with the next steps set out clearly.

Dilating drops blur near vision for a few hours, so it helps to bring sunglasses and arrange not to drive immediately afterwards. Carrying any past eye reports speeds up the visit.

Why Does Early Detection of Retinal Disease Matter So Much?

Outcomes in retinal disease depend on timing more than on any other single factor. Diabetic retinopathy detected at the mild non-proliferative stage is almost fully manageable with sugar control and monitoring. The same disease detected at the proliferative stage may already need laser, injections or surgery to stabilise vision. Wet ARMD treated within the first few weeks responds well to anti-VEGF injections, while the same disease treated months later often leaves permanent central vision loss. A retinal tear sealed promptly with laser usually prevents detachment, while an established detachment needs surgery and may not fully recover.

This is the practical reason a retina specialist matters. The specialist's job is to detect disease at the stage where treatment still preserves vision, rather than the stage at which the patient first notices a problem.

How Does the Specialist Coordinate Surgical Care?

When a retinal condition needs surgery, such as vitrectomy for advanced diabetic retinopathy or scleral buckling for a retinal detachment, the specialist arranges referral to a vitreoretinal surgeon. The referral is structured, not casual. The patient's history, examination findings and imaging are sent ahead so that the surgeon can plan the procedure quickly, and the patient is seen without delay. After surgery, follow-up continues at the hospital in Malad West, which means recovery is monitored close to home.

This combined model serves most retinal patients well. The diagnosis, medical management and follow-up sit with one trusted specialist near home, while complex surgery is performed by a fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon. The patient benefits from continuity, convenience and surgical expertise without having to choose between them.

What Should You Bring to a Retina Consultation?

A little preparation makes the consultation more useful. Bring the items below so the specialist has a complete picture.

• Your current glasses or contact lenses.
• Any past eye prescriptions, reports, OCT scans or fundus photographs.
• A list of your medicines, including those for diabetes and blood pressure.
• Recent blood sugar and HbA1c results, if you are diabetic.
• Details of any previous eye surgery, laser treatment or eye injection.

Arrange for someone to accompany you, since dilating drops blur near vision for a few hours and make driving unsafe immediately afterwards.

Why Choose a Local Retina Specialist in Malad West?

Retinal conditions almost always need ongoing review. Diabetic eyes need an annual dilated examination. Patients with ARMD need monitoring every few months. A retinal tear that has been sealed with laser needs follow-up. A local retina specialist makes this regular review easy rather than a burden, which is the single biggest factor in actually keeping up with the checks that protect sight.

For patients in Malad West, Malad East, Goregaon and Kandivali, having a retina specialist at one familiar address removes the journey across Mumbai that often delays care. It also creates continuity. The same specialist sees your retina at each visit, holds your past scans and notices small changes against your own history, which sharpens every future decision.

What Are Common Myths About Retinal Disease?

A few myths cause patients to delay the very care that protects their sight. Clearing them up matters.

• Myth: If my vision is fine, my retina is fine. Diabetic retinopathy and ARMD often start silently and only blur vision in later stages.
• Myth: Floaters are always harmless. Most are, but a sudden shower of new floaters can signal a retinal tear and needs same-day assessment.
• Myth: Retinal damage can always be reversed. Some can be improved, but much retinal damage is permanent, which is why timing decides the outcome.
• Myth: A retina check is only needed if you have symptoms. Diabetic patients and people over 50 should screen routinely, regardless of symptoms.

Replacing these myths with regular retina checks is the single most effective protection most patients can give their sight.

What Does a Retina Specialist Consultation Cost in Malad?

Costs vary based on the examination, any imaging required and the complexity of the case. The hospital explains all fees clearly during the visit, so there are no surprises. For most patients, a standard retinal evaluation includes the consultation, dilated examination and a plain explanation of findings. Where investigations such as OCT or fundus photography are needed, this is discussed before they are done. Request a quote through the contact page.

How Do You Book a Retina Consultation?

You can book a retina consultation by phone, by WhatsApp or through the contact form. The hospital is located in Malad West at the junction of S.V. Road and Marve Road, next to Maniratna Jewellers, easy to reach by train, bus, auto or car. Patients can also see the full range of eye services on the eye hospital home page or speak to the eye specialist in Malad about an initial assessment. For wider context on retinal disease and global eye health, the World Health Organization fact sheet on vision loss is a useful reference.

Why Sanghvi Eye Hospital for Retinal Care?

The hospital combines an experienced ophthalmologist, a convenient Malad West location and a clear pathway to surgical care when needed. Patients receive a thorough examination, an honest diagnosis and a structured plan, with follow-up close to home and direct coordination with vitreoretinal surgeons for the small share of cases that need surgery. For Malad families, this is a practical answer to retinal care, designed around the reality that most retinal disease needs steady, ongoing attention rather than a single procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions