The Retina

The light sensitive tissue that lines the inner surface of the eye is known as the retina. Retinal diseases differ from easily treated to difficult to diagnose, so making an appointment with an eye physician in your area is vital for your long-term eye health. Ophthalmologists can pinpoint the differences in these diseases and will design a treatment plan to curb or stop vision loss due to retinal disorders.

The retina is crucial to vision, as it senses light and sends images to your brain. Located in the center of this nerve tissue is the macula, which provides sharp, central focus that helps you see the fine details needed for reading, driving and apiece day sight.

Anatomy of the Retina

A complex and layered structure, the retina, with its several layers of neurons interlaced by synapses serves visual insight in retinal encoding and processing of light. These neurons, that are directly sensitive to light are called photoreceptor cells and are prefabricated of two types: rods and cones. Rods supply your black and white vision, while the cones aid daytime vision and the insight of color. Another type of photoreceptor cell exists to supply a reflexive response to bright light. The retina is part of the central nervous system and is the only part that can be seen with non-invasive methods.

Retinal Disorders

Retinal disorders affect the retinal tissue and can cause vision distortion or blindness. Some examples of retinal disorders are:

Floaters – those little, dark specs in your field of vision
Retinal detachment – a true medical emergency that happens when the retina pulls absent from the back of the eye
Macular pucker – scar tissue on the macula
Macular gap – typically happens in those over the age of 60 and is seen as a small break in the macula

Diseases of the Retina

Ophthalmologists primary goal with diseases that affect the retina are to slow the progression of sight loss and to preserve eyesight. Many retinal diseases share common symptoms and treatment, though apiece is unique. Untreated, retinal diseases can escalate vision loss that can be irreversible. Those retinal diseases include:

Cone-rod dystrophy (CORD) – disease loss from deterioration of the cones or rods
Retinoblastoma – cancer of the retina
Diabetic retinopathy – alteration to the little blood vessels that supply the retina, caused from complications of diabetes
Retinitis pigmentosa – a group of genetic diseases that affect the retina and cause loss of peripheral and night vision

Tips for Protecting Against Retinal Disease

People over the age of 65 should have regular eye exams. During these eye exams, the ophthalmologist or optometrist will dilate your pupils to view the inner eye. This grants the eye physician to see the onset of eye disease that can start without symptoms. See your primary care physician annually to check for diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which can lead to vision loss and retinal problems. See and eye physician swiftly whether you suddenly experience any of the following:

Sudden dimness or loss of vision
Flashes of light
Double vision
Eye pain
Redness or swelling of the eye or eyelid