The conditions concerning the vitreous and retina are called vitreoretinal diseases. These impact the retina and the vitreous and cause damages to them.
The retina is the light-sensitive layer in the back of the eye that focuses on the images and transfers that information to the brain through the optic nerve. In simple words, it helps the brain recognize what we see. The macula is the area in the center of the retina where the light focuses resulting in sharp and clear vision. The vitreous, on the other hand, is a clear gel that fills in the space between the lens and the retina that maintains its round shape.
Understanding VitreoRetinal Diseases
When the retina and vitreous gel damaged due to any reason, it leads to eye problems that impact both eye health and vision.
Since the macula and retina play a crucial role in vision, any eye disease in this part of the eye can diminish vision either temporarily or permanently. Owing to this, if you experience any symptoms that might indicate vitreoretinal disease, you should seek an appointment with a vitreoretinal surgeon at Eye Consultants at your earliest. There might be few conditions that can be easily detected during the regular eye examinations that you take. Some of them can be identified even before the appearance of symptoms.
Vitreoretinal Diseases – Symptoms
Numerous retinal diseases share common signs and symptoms. One must pay attention to any changes in the vision and quickly consult an eye specialist in Eye Consultants Center. If you see floating specks or cobwebs in your vision, flashes, or reduced vision, there are warning signs of potential vitreoretinal disease.
- These Are The Warning Signs:
- Having a blurred or distorted vision
- Seeing floaters in the visual field
- Problems in the side vision
- Dimmer central or peripheral vision
- Distorted central vision
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Flashes of light
- Losing or lost vision
- Night blindness
- Severe eye pain
- Sudden loss of vision
Vitreoretinal Diseases –Risk Factors
- The risk factors for retinal diseases may include:
- Aging
- Diabetes or other diseases
- Eye trauma
- Family history of retinal diseases
- Obesity
- Smoking
Vitreoretinal Diseases – Types
Here are the common retinal diseases and conditions that call for immediate appointment and treatment with vitreoretinal consultants:
- Diabetic Retinopathy: There are tiny blood vessels in the back of the eyes. If you are diabetic, the capillaries can swell and leak fluid in and under the retina. This swells up the retina that leads to blurry or distorted vision. Also, this stimulates the growth of new and abnormal capillaries that are thin and susceptible to leakage. This also impacts your vision.
- Epiretinal Membrane: The epiretinal membrane happens to be a delicate tissue-like membrane that resembles crinkled cellophane lying on top of the retina. This pulls the retina upwards that distorts the vision. The objects, due to this condition, tend to appear blurred or crooked.
- Macular Hole: A macular hole is a defect that surfaces in the center of the retina at the eye back – macula. This hole can develop due to the abnormal traction between the vitreous or retina or an eye injury.
- Macular Degeneration: The center of the retina begins to deteriorate causing blurred central vision or a blind spot right in the middle of the vision. There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet. It begins with dry form and progresses to wet form in one or both eyes.
- Retinal Detachment: When fluid gathers under the retina, it causes the retina to detach. This occurs when the fluid goes through the retinal tear, making the retina leave the underlying tissue layers and lift away.
- Retinal Tear: When the vitreous, the gel-like substance, shrinks and tugs on the thin layer of tissue that lines the retina, it can break the tissue that leads to the sudden onset of flashing lights and floaters.
- Retinitis Pigmentosa: An inherited degenerative disease, it slowly impacts the retina and impacts loss of both side and night vision.
Vitreo Retinal Disease – Treatment
Some vitreoretinal conditions can be rather severe and lead to vision loss. However, in most cases, there are treatment options available to preserve vision and slow down the progression of the disease that may be impacting the vision. Your vitreoretinal surgeon in Eye Consultants Center will develop the most suitable and effective treatment method relying on the type of retinal damage and the severity of the condition.
In some cases, medicines are used to support visual function. A minor surgical procedure might be necessary in the case of retinal detachment.
For more information, you can book an appointment with the most experienced and highly-skilled doctors for eye at Eye Consultants.
