A major cause of vision loss all over the world is retinal diseases. The conditions compromise the retina, which is the light-sensing tissue located at the back of the eye, and it is tasked with image acquisition and transmission of visual data to the brain. Damage to the retina may lead to partial or complete blindness, and this is the reason that it is important to know the symptoms and causes of the well-known retinal diseases so that timely treatment may be provided.
The retina damage symptoms may differ regarding the particular condition. The early symptoms are not always apparent, and a routine eye test is vital in most instances. The symptoms of retina damage may be ignored, and the consequence of such negligence is irreversible vision loss; one should be aware of such conditions. When detected early, the retina damage treatment can be in time, and the results, as well as the quality of life of a patient, can be much better.
What Are the Symptoms of Retinal Diseases?
Depending on the disease, the retina damage symptoms can come either gradually or abruptly. When any vision changes are noticed, it is extremely important to draw attention to them because they might be a sign of retinal problems. The symptoms of common retinal damage to look out for include:
- Blurred Vision: A vague decrease in the acuity of vision.
- Floating Spots: Floaters are small, moving spots or lines in the field of vision which can be seen due to damage to the retina.
- Distorted Vision: Straight lines can look wavy or bent, which is a symptom of macular damage, which is a sharp central vision.
- Partial Vision Loss: Vision loss that slowly or suddenly occurs in one or both eyes and is usually associated with retinal disease.
- Night Blindness: Trouble seeing in dim light.
What Are the Common Causes of Retinal Diseases?
Retinal diseases can be caused by several factors. The conditions may be either inherited or acquired, and knowing the cause may help prevent or effectively deal with the diseases. The typical reason is:
- Age: Macular degeneration is an age related illness that might develop as people grow old.
- Diabetes: Diabetic retinopathy is dubbed as one of the most prevalent retinal disease causes, and it presents itself as the result of the destruction of the retina’s vessels by the large amount of sugar in the blood.
- High Blood Pressure: Hypertension can lead to complications of the retinal blood vessels, leading to illnesses like hypertensive retinopathy.
- Genetic Predisposition: Some retinal disorders are hereditary, such as retinitis pigmentosa, which causes a gradual loss of vision.
- Infections: The retina can become infected through viral or bacterial infection, leading to infections of retinitis.
- Trauma or Injury: Direct trauma to the eye or head can cause retinal damage and, in certain instances, retinal detachment or retinal tears.
How Are Retinal Diseases Diagnosed?
- Fundus Examination: Direct look at the retina with the help of an ophthalmoscope to look at its health and detect any abnormalities.
- Fluorescein Angiography: A special dye is injected into the bloodstream to make the blood vessels in the retina visible, will enable the doctor to see whether there are any leaks or blockages.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): It is a non-invasive test which offers detailed cross-sectional pictures of the retina to determine any structural abnormalities.
What Are the Treatment Options for Retinal Diseases?
The management of the retinal issues relies on the specific disease and the extent of the injury. Several therapeutic agents are available to manage or even reverse the effects of a few retinal diseases. The popular treatment options are:
- Laser Therapy: Laser therapy can also be applied to close the leaking blood vessels or destroy the damaged blood vessels, which might be damaging the retina.
- Injectable Medications: In conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, injectable medications such as anti-VEGF medications can be injected directly into the eye to decrease swelling and eliminate the growth of abnormal blood vessels.
- Vitrectomy: This surgical procedure is referred to as vitrectomy and can be beneficial in cases of retinal detachment or other serious diseases, to remove blood or scar tissue in the vitreous, the gel-like substance in the eye.
- Retinal Surgery: Surgery may also be required in the instance of retinal detachment to reattach the retina and restore vision.
Can Retinal Diseases Be Prevented?
Not all retinal diseases are preventable, but you can reduce the risk of developing certain disorders. A healthy lifestyle is the main factor in eye health. The possible measures that can help avoid retinal damage are as follows:
- Control Diabetes: Control your blood sugar levels when you have diabetes very well to prevent diabetic retinopathy.
- Monitor Blood Pressure: Management of blood pressure aids in reducing the chances of hypertensive retinopathy.
- Healthy Diet: Through antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene, healthy food can also be used to promote eye health and reduce the risk of macular degeneration.
- Quit Smoking; this will lower your risk of macular degeneration and other retinal disorders.
- Regular eye checkups: Regular eye checkups by an eye doctor can identify early indicators of retinal disorders before they inflict major damage.
Neoretina: How Can You Seek Expert Treatment for Retinal Diseases?
In the case of the management of retinal diseases, time is of the essence; the sooner the disease is diagnosed, the better the chances that you will keep your sight. In case you have observed any of the symptoms that we have mentioned, it is crucial to consult a professional as early as possible. Our team of highly qualified ophthalmologists at Neoretina Eyecare Institute is specialised in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases with great concern. We provide competent evaluation and develop individual treatment programs corresponding to your needs. Treating the symptoms of retina damage at its initial stages enables us to offer you the most effective treatment, thus assisting in preventing further loss of vision.
MS (2013-2016): PGIMER, Chandigarh
FVRS(2016-2018) LVPEI, Bhubaneshwar
Special Interests: Retinopathy of Prematurity, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinal Dystrophies, Pediatric Retina.
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- Retinal Diseases: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment Options - July 31, 2019
