RETINA

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BASIC ANATOMY

The eye works like a camera. The lens system in the front of the eye (cornea, pupil and lens) focuses light onto the back of the eye, the retina. The retina is the inner lining of the eye and works like the film in a camera; it senses light and allows you to see by transmitting this information to your brain where it is interpreted as images. The middle of the eye is filled with a clear, jelly-like substance called vitreous. The vitreous and retina are normally in contact with each other.

The retina can be divided into two main anatomic regions – the macula and the peripheral retina. The macula is in the center of the retina and is responsible for our fine, central, and color vision. The peripheral retina comprises over 90 percent of the retina and is responsible for our peripheral and night vision.

ARE YOU HYPERTENSIVE?

Do you have high Blood pressure?

yes no

Are you regularly taking medications for the same?

yes no

Have you undergone a complete comprehensive eye exam?

yes no

WHY COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMINATION NEEDED?

As retina is one of the most sensitive organs, Your ophthalmologist or retina specialist can directly see your retinal blood vessels through a comprehensive, dilated eye exam. The appearance of these vessels and your retina are excellent markers of the overall health of your body’s blood vessel system.

MOST COMMON RETINAL CONDITION

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HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND RETINA HEALTH

WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
  • High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can affect your body and eyes in many ways. It is important to know what your blood pressure is and to maintain good control of it.
  • Asymptomatic individuals with a known history of HT should also undergo complete eye check-up as many changes related to HT are asymptomatic and lead to blinding conditions in future.

ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE CAN CAUSE CHANGES IN YOUR RETINA

CHANGES THAT CAN OCCUR INCLUDE:
  • Bleeding
  • Edema and swelling of your retina
  • Exudation (fluid leakage) and buildup of protein and lipids in the retina
  • Small infarctions of the retina (tissue death due to inadequate blood supply), also known as “cotton wool spots”
  • Arteriosclerosis: arteriolar narrowing, artery-vein crossing changes (also known as “AV nicking”), changes in the color of arterioles and in advanced cases, sclerosis (abnormal hardening) of the blood vessels

Severe cases of hypertension may result in blockages of the retinal veins or arteries. These blockages of circulation (called occlusions), can cause severe loss of vision or even blindness.

Image

FLASHES AND FLOATERS

WHAT ARE FLASHES AND FLOATERS?
  • You may sometimes see small specks, lines, or clouds moving in your field of vision. When these are inside of your eye, they are called floaters. These can develop when the vitreous (a gel-like substance that fills the middle of the eye between the lens and the retina) degenerates or detaches. Floaters are usually due to tiny clumps of cells or connective tissue moving within your eye.
  • When the retina is irritated or disturbed, you may see what look like flashes or streaks of light. This can happen occasionally as people age.
  • If the retina develops a tear or a detachment, you may see a shower of floaters and flashes.
Causes And Symptoms
POSSIBLE CAUSES OF FLOATERS OR FLASHES INCLUDE:
  • Myopia
  • Retinal tear or detachment
  • Bleeding in the eye
  • Inflammation in the eye
DIAGNOSIS
  • Floaters and flashes are typically diagnosed by the patient.
  • If you are experiencing flashes and floaters, contact your ophthalmologist at Tej eye center at the earliest
  • This could be the earliest symptoms of onset of Retinal detachment
  • Our retina specialists can confirm the diagnosis and specific cause through a dilated eye exam. Retinal surgeons at Tej eye center are specially trained to determine the specific cause of your floaters and flashes, and if treatment is needed.
Treatment And Prognosis
  • Many times, a posterior vitreous detachment will occur without complication, and no treatment is necessary. Floaters frequently go away on their own over time.
  • A torn or detached retina may require immediate treatment. Our physicians at TEJ EYE CENTER are specially trained and experienced in treating flashes and floaters to restore your vision.
WHAT IS A POSTERIOR VITREOUS DETACHMENT (PVD)?
  • A posterior vitreous detachment is not the same thing as a retinal detachment. A posterior vitreous detachment occurs when the vitreous gel separates from the retina which lines the back wall of the eye. PVD happens in most eyes as we age and tends to occur earlier in myopic eyes and after trauma or eye surgery.
  • When a posterior vitreous detachment occurs, bleeding can also occur and the vitreous gel can pull holes or rip tears in the retina. A retinal detachment occurs when the retina is separated from its underlying blood supply. This can occur when a retinal hole or tear allows fluid to pass behind the retina. This can be thought of as similar to when water gets under a sheet of wallpaper, it peels the wallpaper off of the wall. In many cases this is an emergency that requires urgent treatment.
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ABOUT RETINAL TEARS

As the vitreous gel in the back of the eye starts to liquefy, it can separate from the retina, a condition called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). If the vitreous gel adheres too firmly to the retina, a retinal tear can occur with a PVD. The tear can also progress to a retinal detachment, a more serious condition that happens when fluid leaks through the tear and separates the retina from the back of the eye.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

Light passes to your retina through a large space in the center of the eye called the vitreous cavity. This cavity is filled with a clear, jelly-like substance called vitreous which is normally in contact with the retina. A posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) occurs when the vitreous gel separates from the retina. This happens in most eyes as we age and tends to occur earlier in myopic (nearsighted) eyes and after trauma or eye surgery. In most cases, this separation does not cause any significant problems. However, when a posterior vitreous detachment occurs, the vitreous gel sometimes pulls holes or rips tears in the retina.

  • Bleeding
  • Edema and swelling of your retina
  • Exudation (fluid leakage) and buildup of protein and lipids in the retina
  • Small infarctions of the retina (tissue death due to inadequate blood supply), also known as “cotton wool spots”
  • Arteriosclerosis: arteriolar narrowing, artery-vein crossing changes (also known as “AV nicking”), changes in the color of arterioles and in advanced cases, sclerosis (abnormal hardening) of the blood vessels

Severe cases of hypertension may result in blockages of the retinal veins or arteries. These blockages of circulation (called occlusions), can cause severe loss of vision or even blindness.

Image

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND RETINA HEALTH

WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
  • High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can affect your body and eyes in many ways. It is important to know what your blood pressure is and to maintain good control of it.
  • Asymptomatic individuals with a known history of HT should also undergo complete eye check-up as many changes related to HT are asymptomatic and lead to blinding conditions in future.

ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE CAN CAUSE CHANGES IN YOUR RETINA

CHANGES THAT CAN OCCUR INCLUDE:
  • Bleeding
  • Edema and swelling of your retina
  • Exudation (fluid leakage) and buildup of protein and lipids in the retina
  • Small infarctions of the retina (tissue death due to inadequate blood supply), also known as “cotton wool spots”
  • Arteriosclerosis: arteriolar narrowing, artery-vein crossing changes (also known as “AV nicking”), changes in the color of arterioles and in advanced cases, sclerosis (abnormal hardening) of the blood vessels

Severe cases of hypertension may result in blockages of the retinal veins or arteries. These blockages of circulation (called occlusions), can cause severe loss of vision or even blindness.

Image

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND RETINA HEALTH

WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
  • High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can affect your body and eyes in many ways. It is important to know what your blood pressure is and to maintain good control of it.
  • Asymptomatic individuals with a known history of HT should also undergo complete eye check-up as many changes related to HT are asymptomatic and lead to blinding conditions in future.

ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE CAN CAUSE CHANGES IN YOUR RETINA

CHANGES THAT CAN OCCUR INCLUDE:
  • Bleeding
  • Edema and swelling of your retina
  • Exudation (fluid leakage) and buildup of protein and lipids in the retina
  • Small infarctions of the retina (tissue death due to inadequate blood supply), also known as “cotton wool spots”
  • Arteriosclerosis: arteriolar narrowing, artery-vein crossing changes (also known as “AV nicking”), changes in the color of arterioles and in advanced cases, sclerosis (abnormal hardening) of the blood vessels

Severe cases of hypertension may result in blockages of the retinal veins or arteries. These blockages of circulation (called occlusions), can cause severe loss of vision or even blindness.

Image

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND RETINA HEALTH

WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
  • High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can affect your body and eyes in many ways. It is important to know what your blood pressure is and to maintain good control of it.
  • Asymptomatic individuals with a known history of HT should also undergo complete eye check-up as many changes related to HT are asymptomatic and lead to blinding conditions in future.

ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE CAN CAUSE CHANGES IN YOUR RETINA

CHANGES THAT CAN OCCUR INCLUDE:
  • Bleeding
  • Edema and swelling of your retina
  • Exudation (fluid leakage) and buildup of protein and lipids in the retina
  • Small infarctions of the retina (tissue death due to inadequate blood supply), also known as “cotton wool spots”
  • Arteriosclerosis: arteriolar narrowing, artery-vein crossing changes (also known as “AV nicking”), changes in the color of arterioles and in advanced cases, sclerosis (abnormal hardening) of the blood vessels

Severe cases of hypertension may result in blockages of the retinal veins or arteries. These blockages of circulation (called occlusions), can cause severe loss of vision or even blindness.

Image

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND RETINA HEALTH

WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
  • High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can affect your body and eyes in many ways. It is important to know what your blood pressure is and to maintain good control of it.
  • Asymptomatic individuals with a known history of HT should also undergo complete eye check-up as many changes related to HT are asymptomatic and lead to blinding conditions in future.

ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE CAN CAUSE CHANGES IN YOUR RETINA

CHANGES THAT CAN OCCUR INCLUDE:
  • Bleeding
  • Edema and swelling of your retina
  • Exudation (fluid leakage) and buildup of protein and lipids in the retina
  • Small infarctions of the retina (tissue death due to inadequate blood supply), also known as “cotton wool spots”
  • Arteriosclerosis: arteriolar narrowing, artery-vein crossing changes (also known as “AV nicking”), changes in the color of arterioles and in advanced cases, sclerosis (abnormal hardening) of the blood vessels

Severe cases of hypertension may result in blockages of the retinal veins or arteries. These blockages of circulation (called occlusions), can cause severe loss of vision or even blindness.

Image

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND RETINA HEALTH

WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
  • High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can affect your body and eyes in many ways. It is important to know what your blood pressure is and to maintain good control of it.
  • Asymptomatic individuals with a known history of HT should also undergo complete eye check-up as many changes related to HT are asymptomatic and lead to blinding conditions in future.

ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE CAN CAUSE CHANGES IN YOUR RETINA

CHANGES THAT CAN OCCUR INCLUDE:
  • Bleeding
  • Edema and swelling of your retina
  • Exudation (fluid leakage) and buildup of protein and lipids in the retina
  • Small infarctions of the retina (tissue death due to inadequate blood supply), also known as “cotton wool spots”
  • Arteriosclerosis: arteriolar narrowing, artery-vein crossing changes (also known as “AV nicking”), changes in the color of arterioles and in advanced cases, sclerosis (abnormal hardening) of the blood vessels

Severe cases of hypertension may result in blockages of the retinal veins or arteries. These blockages of circulation (called occlusions), can cause severe loss of vision or even blindness.

Image

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND RETINA HEALTH

WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
  • High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can affect your body and eyes in many ways. It is important to know what your blood pressure is and to maintain good control of it.
  • Asymptomatic individuals with a known history of HT should also undergo complete eye check-up as many changes related to HT are asymptomatic and lead to blinding conditions in future.

ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE CAN CAUSE CHANGES IN YOUR RETINA

CHANGES THAT CAN OCCUR INCLUDE:
  • Bleeding
  • Edema and swelling of your retina
  • Exudation (fluid leakage) and buildup of protein and lipids in the retina
  • Small infarctions of the retina (tissue death due to inadequate blood supply), also known as “cotton wool spots”
  • Arteriosclerosis: arteriolar narrowing, artery-vein crossing changes (also known as “AV nicking”), changes in the color of arterioles and in advanced cases, sclerosis (abnormal hardening) of the blood vessels

Severe cases of hypertension may result in blockages of the retinal veins or arteries. These blockages of circulation (called occlusions), can cause severe loss of vision or even blindness.

Image

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND RETINA HEALTH

WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
  • High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can affect your body and eyes in many ways. It is important to know what your blood pressure is and to maintain good control of it.
  • Asymptomatic individuals with a known history of HT should also undergo complete eye check-up as many changes related to HT are asymptomatic and lead to blinding conditions in future.

ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE CAN CAUSE CHANGES IN YOUR RETINA

CHANGES THAT CAN OCCUR INCLUDE:
  • Bleeding
  • Edema and swelling of your retina
  • Exudation (fluid leakage) and buildup of protein and lipids in the retina
  • Small infarctions of the retina (tissue death due to inadequate blood supply), also known as “cotton wool spots”
  • Arteriosclerosis: arteriolar narrowing, artery-vein crossing changes (also known as “AV nicking”), changes in the color of arterioles and in advanced cases, sclerosis (abnormal hardening) of the blood vessels

Severe cases of hypertension may result in blockages of the retinal veins or arteries. These blockages of circulation (called occlusions), can cause severe loss of vision or even blindness.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The retina is a thin layer of light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye. Its function is to receive light, convert that light into a neural signal, and send the signal via the optic nerve to the brain. The brain interprets these signals and creates an image.

The retina is less than an inch in diameter, about half a millimeter thick, and contains 200 million neurons. Different parts of the retina are responsible for various vision functions, with the most important part being the macula. The macula is a pigmented portion of the retina that lies in the very center and controls our central vision. It’s what allows us to see fine details, color, recognize faces, read, and more.

Because retinas are very delicate, there is a wide range of both minor and major conditions that a person can end up having. The most common major retinal conditions include:

Holes, tears, and detachments, which occur when the retina is ruptured or separated from the eye through trauma, a condition, or aging

Diabetic retinopathy, which is an eye disease that can cause blindness in people with diabetes

Age-related macular degeneration, which occurs when the macula deteriorates because of age-related changes

Anyone who has a long-duration history of type 1 and type 2 diabetes which when left uncontrolled developers fluctuations in the blood sugar level which are the most risking factors that help deviation retinopathy to evolve progressively. Some other factors like chronic kidney disease, deranged cholesterol, and hypertension can lead to diabetic retinopathy. Some pregnant women or people belonging to an Asian or afro- Caribbean background can be at risk of getting diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. When cholesterol level and blood pressure levels are controlled then the risk of getting diabetic retinopathy can be reduced. If you observe any of the above-mentioned symptoms you are not necessarily diagnosed with this condition but you should definitely see your doctor for further care and prevention. The doctor will evaluate your eye and you will be asked to wait till your other screening. Diabetes can be seen in children as well and everyone who belongs to the age group of 12 years and above is recommended to attend at least one eye screen once a year as there are no specific symptoms that are observed in the early stages also it is very helpful in the evaluation of the eye problems to be treated on time.

You can prevent diabetic retinopathy by managing your diabetes, keeping track of your blood sugar level, glycosylated haemoglobin test, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and quitting smoking if you consume this ask for your doctors helps and most importantly observe the changes in your vision. Keep in mind you can’t always prevent diabetic retinopathy but can have good control by taking regular eye examinations and intervening in vision problems which can further help in preventing major vision loss. Diabetes can be a symptom and remember it can always lead to vision loss as it varies from person to person. It is recommended that you should see your doctor if you observe major changes in your vision and also takes care of your weight , have balanced diet , creates exercise routine and quit smoking it can also lead to other health problems.

For many retinal conditions, the earliest symptoms are often minor and common, such as blurred vision or floaters. Other symptoms that can indicate a more serious condition include:

Double vision

Peripheral vision loss

Dimmed vision

Distorted vision

Blind spots

Flashing lights

Disruptive vision loss

There are many sophisticated diagnostic tests that can be used to determine the presence and severity of a retinal condition, such as:

Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

Fundus photography

Fluorescein angiography

Indocyanine green angiography

Auto fluorescence photography

Standardized A&B scan echography

Visual field testing, or perimetry

Treating retinal conditions can sometimes be a complex process. Depending on the condition and the severity, treatment options may include:

Shrinking abnormal blood vessels

Injecting medications into the eye

Indenting the eye’s surface

Cryopexy, in which retinal tears are treated using a freezing process

Injection of air or gas into the eye

Removing and replacing eye fluid, also known as vitrectomy

Laser

Although some retinal conditions are out of your control, you can improve your vision health by enforcing a few simple lifestyle habits, such as:

Eating healthy

Quit smoking

Exercise regularly

Wear sunglasses and eye protection

Regular eye checkups

If you think you may be at risk for a retinal condition or are in need of treatment, contact the expert retina specialists and eye surgeons at TEJ EYE CENTER.