Retinal Diseases & Conditions: How They Can Harm You, What to Look Out for, What You Should Do

Without healthy retinas you won’t be able to see well. The retina is in the rear of the eye. It has millions of light-sensitive cells (called rods and cones) which, along with other nerve cells, receive and organize visual information. This information is sent to the brain via the optic nerve, and if all goes well, you can see.
Retinal-Detachment.jpg
  There are several diseases and conditions that can impact the retina. Depending on which one you’re dealing with, treatment goals may be to stop or slow the progress of the disease, preserve your current vision, improve or restore your vision. Left untreated some of these diseases can result in severe vision loss or blindness. Risk factors include aging, being diabetic, suffering eye trauma, and a family history of retinal diseases. Some of the symptoms can include,
  • Floaters (visual effects that appear as floating specks, strings or cobwebs),
  • Vision that’s blurred or distorted,
  • Problems with peripheral vision, and,
  • Vision loss.
You should set up an appointment with us if you suddenly see floaters or flashes or your vision becomes limited. These are symptoms of a potentially serious retinal disease. These diseases and conditions include,
  • Retinal tear: This happens when the clear substance in the center of the eye (vitreous) shrinks. It pulls at the retina with enough force to cause it to tear. Symptoms come on suddenly and include what appears to be bright flashing lights and floaters.
  • Retinal detachment: This occurs when there’s fluid under the retina. It passes through a retinal tear and the retina to lifts off the underlying tissue.
  • Diabetic retinopathy: A side effect of diabetes can occur when tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in the back of your eye deteriorate and leak fluid into and under the retina. The retina swells and your vision becomes blurred or distorted. You may also develop new, abnormal capillaries that break and bleed and your vision suffers as a result.
  • Epiretinal membrane: This delicate tissue-like scar lies on top of the retina. It pulls up on the retina, distorting and blurring your vision.
  • Macular hole: This small defect in the center of the retina may occur after abnormal traction between the retina and the vitreous. It may also occur after an eye injury.
  • Macular degeneration: The retina’s center deteriorates and the center of your vision is impacted. It can become blurred or you could lose your sight in that one area. Dry macular degeneration can last for many years without impacting your vision, but if becomes wet macular degeneration your vision starts becoming affected.
Your eyes are made of many different parts. The retina is critical to healthy vision. If you believe you may be suffering from a problem with you retina, or are having issues with your vision in general, contact our office. Your vision is critical to your quality of life, your ability to work and safely get from one place to another. Don’t take it for granted. Work with us to protect your vision. Contact the Lehigh Valley Center for Sight at 610-437-4988 or fill out our contact form so we can talk about what you can do to keep your sight healthy for as long as possible and about how we can work together to protect your sight. Daniel Ross, MD Vitreo-Retinal Specialist Lehigh Valley Center for Sight https://www.lvcenter4sight.com eyedoc@lvcenter4sight.com

https://www.lvcenter4sight.com/retinal-diseases-conditions-how-they-can-harm-you-what-to-look-out-for-what-you-should-do/

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