Common Retina Diseases

The retina plays a crucial role in vision by capturing light entering the eye and converting it into electrical signals that the brain interprets as images. Although the retina’s job is singular—processing light to enable sight—without it, vision would be impossible. Damage to the retina can lead to various degrees of vision impairment, from mild blurriness to complete blindness. Structurally, the retina is a complex layer of cells and tissues that work together seamlessly to create vision. Several factors can increase the risk of retinal diseases including age, smoking, obesity, family history, eye trauma and conditions like diabetes.

Common retina diseases include diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal vein occlusion and retinal tears or detachments. Any issue affecting the retina requires urgent medical care to prevent permanent vision loss. Symptoms of retinal disorders often manifest as blurred vision, floaters, blind spots in central or peripheral vision, distorted images or even total loss of sight. The underlying causes vary by condition.

Diabetic retinopathy, for instance, affects about one-third of individuals with diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak and harm the delicate retinal tissue. Macular degeneration, often linked to aging, is another condition where blood vessels beneath the macula leak or cause deterioration of the macula itself, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision. Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited disorder in which the retina’s light-sensitive cells, the rods and cones, begin to degenerate, gradually impairing low-light vision, color perception and clarity. Retinal vein occlusion occurs when a blockage forms in the vein responsible for draining blood from the retina. This can result from a blood clot, age-related artery hardening or plaque buildup, disrupting blood flow and damaging the retina. Retinal tears and detachments happen when the retina separates from the back of the eye, often due to the aging process that causes the vitreous gel inside the eye to shrink. Trauma or other underlying eye conditions can also trigger this separation.Although treatments are available for most retinal diseases, some conditions cannot be completely cured or reversed. Surgical intervention is often required for retinal tears or detachments while other conditions may be managed with medications, laser therapy or vision rehabilitation strategies to cope with permanent vision changes. The type of treatment depends on the disease’s severity and progression. The best way to protect your vision is through routine eye exams, including retinal imaging. Retinal diseases can progress silently, often showing symptoms only after significant damage has occurred. Early detection is key to preserving eyesight. To schedule an eye exam, contact Associated Retina Consultants at 602-242-4928 or visit our WEBSITE.