Retina is the neurosensory layer of the eye at the back of the eye. Light passes through the cornea and the image is projected on the retina which is converted to nerve signals and transferred to the brain. Hence person with a normal eye but with a retina disease will have poor vision. The common disease affecting the retina are :-
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes is a condition which impairs the body's ability to store and use sugar. Diabetes affects the tiny blood vessels of the eye in the form of blockage and when there is associated leakage your vision can be affected. Fortunately with regular, proper eye care and treatment when necessary the incidence of severe vision loss can be greatly reduced. Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among diabetics. Some diabetics never show any sign of disease in the eye. But in many cases, the disease progresses until massive bleeding, scarring or retinal detachment has occurred making recovery of sight impossible. Diabetic retinopathy increases with the duration of diabetes and almost all those who have been suffering from diabetes for over 30 years will be affected by diabetic retinopathy. Juvenile diabetics will be more prone to developing diabetic retinopathy at an early age.
Symptoms
Most often, Diabetic Retinopathy shows no symptoms until the damage is severe. However, some of the symptoms include:
Blurred vision and gradual vision loss
Shadows or missing areas of vision
Difficulty in reading or seeing up close
In most cases, because of the lack of symptoms, Diabetic Retinopathy is diagnosed only in the later stages, where revival of sight becomes difficult. This is the reason why all diabetics should regularly go in for eye check ups.
Treatment
At Vasan Eye Care, we understand the complications caused by diabetes and thoroughly examine all our diabetic patients before determining the treatment to be offered. Our approach includes:
Meticulous examinations of the interior of the eye using an Ophthalmoscope and 20D retinal lens.
Making a detailed diagram of the retina with colour coding.
Using the Fundus camera to capture serial photographs to understand the condition of the blood vessels.
Performing Fundus Fluorescein Angiography and Optical Coherence Tomography to assess the stage of diabetic retinopathy.
Ultrasonography of the eye, if necessary.
Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment occurs when the sensory retina separates from the retinal pigment epithelium like wallpaper peeling off a damp wall. If a retinal detachment is not detected and treated it can result in the loss of some vision or severe visual loss.
Causes
Most retinal detachments happen because of a retinal tear or hole which allows fluid to collect between the retinal layers and this can lead to retinal detachment. Holes in the retina can occur because of aging whereas tears happens because the retina has been pulled and torn. Tears can be caused by a blow to the head or if the vitreous gel suddenly becomes detached from the retina. Diabetic retinopathy can also result in fibrous scar tissue formation inside the vitreous and on the surface of the retina which can pull on the retina (traction) causing a detachment.
Causes
Symptoms that warn of a retinal detachment
Flashing lights
Many people experience flashes of lights, most commonly around the edges of their vision.
Dark shadow
Dark shadow moving up, down or across your vision
Blurring of vision
If your vision suddenly becomes blurred
Treatment
Retinal detachment can be treated. The treatment involves an operation to reattach the retina. Sooner the treatment is carried out, better are the results. If retinal detachment is not treated then you will lose complete vision in the affected eye.
Expertise, skill and technology are our key strengths in combating vitreoretinal disorders.
We are adept at treating even extensive and complicated vitreoretinal disorders with modern technology and state of the art equipment.