Retinal Diseases - Know Forms Of Them!

The retina is the third and innermost layer of the eye that catches the light and helps us focus on things so that we can see clearly. This is one of the most important parts of the eye. The retina is made up of a number of light-sensitive cells that are connected to nerve fibres. These nerve fibres help in transmitting the images formed through neuro-impulses that reach the brain. There are many conditions and diseases that can affect this part of the eye.

Read on to know more.

1. Macular degeneration: This is a common eye disease that is usually associated with ageing and comes with symptoms like blurry vision and loss of central vision. This disease goes through a slow progression and can be of the dry or wet type. While it can cause significant loss of quality of vision, it never causes complete blindness

2. Diabetic retinopathy: This condition can leave one visually impaired in the long run with complete blindness. This complication usually arises when a person is suffering from uncontrolled diabetes. It can be proliferative or non-proliferative depending on the severity of blood and fluid leakage in the retina. Initial stages of retinopathy often have no symptoms-hence all diabetics should get a yearly retina check up

3. Retinal vein occlusion: This condition usually happens when the veins of the retina get obstructed. This can lead to reduced blood flow to the retinal area involved and significant vision impairment. Retinal vein occlusion usually affects the elderly and is often associated with raised blood pressure.

4. Retinal tears and detachments: Retinal tears and detachment occur when small holes or big tears develop in the retina causing fluid to leak behind the retina and causing it to detach from its normal position. Myopia(especially high myopia) and eye injuries are risk factors of it. If it is left untreated, it causes progressive loss of vision and blindness. Retinal detachment often needs urgent treatment to get the best visual recovery and the treatment is usually in the form of surgery. Small tears without detachment can be treated with laser.