The Retina is one of the most important parts of our eyes. It is the part of the eye where nerve cells receive visual information that are sent to the brain. It is vital for visual recognition and if damaged, the vision is affected. There are several types of retinal conditions. They vary widely but most of them cause visual symptoms, depending on the part of the retina affected. As one of the leading eye hospitals in Kolkata, we share with you 7 things that you should know about retinal conditions:
1.Signs of a retinal condition: The symptoms of retinal disorders may vary depending on the type of the disorder. However, common symptoms include:
- Seeing eye floaters
- Blurred or distorted vision (straight lines look wavy)
- Problem with peripheral vision
- Colour sensitivity
- Difficulty seeing at a distance
- Night blindness
- Redness
- Eye pain
- Unexplained vision loss
2.Common retinal diseases: Retinal tear, retinal detachment and diabetic retinopathy are some of the common retinal diseases. Retinal tear and retinal detachment are medical emergencies that require immediate medical attention. A retinal tear occurs when the tissue develops a crack or hole. Often a retinal tear causes the retina to move away from its normal position, leading to retinal detachment.
3.Diabetes and retinal disease: Those who are diabetic are at a high risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a serious retinal disease in which blood vessels in the retina grow abnormally, swell, and/or leak fluid. In the initial stages, diabetic retinopathy shows no symptoms. By the time there is any change in the vision, significant damage has been done.
4.Risk factors: Some common factors that increase the risk. Family history of retinal disease and age can increase the risk of developing retinal diseases. People suffering from diabetes, smokers, those who are overweight and those who suffer from extreme nearsightedness are vulnerable to retinal diseases.
5.When to see an eye doctor: If there are any sudden changes in your vision or you spot floaters or flashes, you must seek immediate medical attention. They can be warning signs of potentially serious retinal disease. You should see an eye doctor immediately, even if you have had your routine checkup before. Also, Retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema are progressive conditions, i.e. they get worse over time. If they are diagnosed in a timely manner, the damage can be slowed down.
6.Diagnosis: A comprehensive eye exam that includes pupil dilation is an important part of preventative health care. Comprehensive eye exams can detect eye diseases and disorders such as retinal detachment, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. As many retinal diseases do not show any early symptoms, an annual eye examination is must to accurately check your eye health. The doctor may prescribe additional tests to arrive for an accurate diagnosis. If you are a diabetic, then you should get your eyes checked at least twice in a year.
7.Treatment: Depending on the type of retinal disease you have, the ophthalmologist will decide the course of treatment. Surgery is recommended for retinal tear and retinal detachment to push the detached retina back to its position. However, for a disease like macular degeneration, the goal of the treatment is to stop or slow the disease and restore the vision.
Concerned about your eye health? Consult leading eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospitals. Our comprehensive eye examination can help detect retinal conditions early. We have some of the best eye doctors in Kolkata on board who can help you choose the right treatment option. To book an online consultation, click here.