Retina is the vital part of eyes which enables us to see things around us
Retina is present on the inner wall of the back of the eye ball
Fovea is the central part of retina which is responsible for vision
Retina passes visual information to brain through optic nerve
Retina gets its nourishment from blood vessels which can get damaged due to diabetes mellitus of high blood pressure Healthy retina requires a healthy lifestyle
Flashes of Light
Flashes of light may be seen with both open and closed eyes; in lighted or dark surroundings
Flashes may be accompanied with floating opacities in front of eyes called floaters
A curtain or veil in front or side of vision may be seen with flashes
Seeing flashes of light must NOT be ignored and immediate retina check up is needed to rule out retinal break or retinal detachment
Retinal break is treated with laser and retinaldetachment may need surgery
Floaters
Floaters are moving opacities in the vision which can be of any shape or side
Floaters are more prominently seen against a light background like walls or sky
Most of the times floaters are harmless but they can be a sign of eye disease too
A retina specialist can examine the eye and suggest whether floaters are harmless or sign of any disease
Harmless floaters do not usually require treatment
New floaters, increase in floaters or floaters associated with flashes need an immediate retina check up by a retina specialist
Diabetic Retinopathy
Damage to retina in diabetes mellitus is called diabetic retinopathy
Control of blood sugar is most important step to prevent diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy can be present in people with normal vision
Every person with diabetes should have regular retina check up to detect retinopathy at earliest
Treatment of diabetic retinopathy is done with retinal laser, multiple intravitreal injections and retina surgery
Treatment of diabetic retinopathy continues for few years
Eye Stroke
Eyes may have stroke like brain or heart
Eye stroke can affect retina and nerve of the eye Common strokes in retina are BRVO and CRVO CRVO is bigger stroke than BRVO
Treatment of eye stroke lasts from few months to few years
Intravitreal injections are first treatment in most eyes with stroke
Retina Laser and Surgery are needed in few eyes
Normal blood pressure, well controlled diabetes and lipid profile can prevent eye stroke
Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment is separation of retina from posteiror welt of eye
Eyes with high myopia or high minus power are at more risk of development of retinal detachment
Retinal detachment can be partial or total and cause decrease in vision depending upon extent
Most of the retinal detachments are treated with surgery
Scleral ( buckling and vitrectomy are surgeries for retinal detachment)
Surgery for retinal detachment should be performed as early as possible
