Retina & Ocular Inflammations
About Retina & Ocular Inflammations
To visualize your retina the ophthalmologist instills topical dilatation drops which dilates your pupils through which he sees the retina and diagnoses the ailment.
What is Retina?
The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye. It is located near the optic nerve. The purpose of the retina is to receive light that the lens has focused, convert the light into neural signals, and send these signals on to the brain for visual recognition
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
The retina is affected by many diseases which can lead to loss of vision and blindness. Of these Diabetes is a major contributor to visual loss. It is a metabolic disorder which interferes with body’s ability to use and store sugar. It usually affects adults in their late forties or fifties but now owing to lifestyle changes young people and even infants can get diabetes. The classic symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, tiredness or blurred vision. In uncontrolled diabetes, high sugar in the blood can damage blood vessels of the eye. This deterioration of the blood vessels causes hindrance in supply of oxygen and nutrients needed by retina to stay healthy. This leads to new vessel formation which are fragile and often burst open causing vitreous hemorrhage and loss of vision. Sometimes these cause retinal traction and accumulation of fluid called macular edema. Diagnostic procedures like OCT, Fundus Fluorescein Angiography and OCT-Angio help in prognosticating and determining the mode of management in form of eyedrops, Intravitreal injections, Retinal lasers or Vitreo-Retina surgeries. Diabetic retinopathy is a silent vision stealer. In early stage, there is hardly any symptom. Hence, a diabetic must strictly get his eye exam done every year. If detected early, vision loss can be prevented. But, once the damage is done, the effects are irreversible.
What is Retinal Detachment?
Retinal detachment is an extremely grave eye condition that happens when the retina separates from the tissue behind it. One can permanently lose vision if the retina detachment isn’t repaired promptly in form of Pneumoretinopexy, Scleral Buckle and Vitreo-retina surgery depending on the type and severity of the retinal detachment. Retinal tears are although different than retinal detachment, but they are often the first stage leading to retinal detachment. If fluid from within the eye passes through a retinal tear, it can separate the retina from its underlying tissue which requires urgent laser treatment.
What is Age Related Macular Degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD or AMD) is a disease where in there is progressive deterioration or breakdown of the central part of the retina which is responsible for vision called macula. Macular degeneration is a part of body’s natural ageing process. It is quite common after the age of 65 years. Its treatment in the form of ANTI-VEGF therapy, PDT, Laser Therapy may slow down or prevent progressive loss of vision but may not bring the lost vision back. Combination Therapy and Low Vision Aids may help to restore some amount of vision.
What is Retinopathy of Prematurity?
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding eye disorder that primarily affects premature infants weighing about 1500 grams or less that are born before 34 weeks of gestation. Today, with advances in neonatal care, smaller and more premature infants are being saved. These infants are at a much higher risk for ROP. Not all babies who are premature develop ROP. About 90 percent of all infants with ROP are in the milder category and do not need treatment. However, infants with more severe disease can develop impaired vision or even blindness. Infants with ROP are considered to be at higher risk for developing certain eye problems later in life, such as retinal detachment, myopia (nearsightedness), strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), and glaucoma. ROP can be treated with retinal lasers, Anti-VEGF injections and in very severe form vitreoretinal surgeries are done.
