|
World Retina Week 2021 will be celebrated within Eye Care Awareness Month which is commemorated from September 21 to October 18 to raise awareness about the importance of eye health, specifically around the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness. According to Claudette Medefindt of Retina SA, many vision problems that occur later in life could be avoided with early, and often quite simple, preventative measures. Many eye conditions are asymptomatic for years and are sadly only diagnosed when the problems like damage to the retina are well established. Retina South Africa urges each and every South African to get involved to protect their precious sight. The retina makes its first appearance in a foetus's eyes at just 8 weeks of pregnancy. From then on, it grows rapidly and can pick up light signals as early as the 16th week of foetal development. The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye. It covers almost 65% of the inner surface of the eye. The function of the retina is to receive light that has been focused by the lens, convert the light into electrical signals and send this information to the brain via the optic nerve, which is a bundle of over a million nerve fibres. The macula is the area of the retina containing special light-sensitive cells which allow us to see fine details clearly in the centre of our visual field. In the centre of the macula sharp vision is provided by the fovea. Due to the retina's vital role in vision, damage to it can cause permanent blindness. |
||||||||
|
Warning Signs of Retinal Disease As we age, our vision naturally declines, but not all vision problems that we experience are a normal part of aging. There are certain warning signs that could indicate retinal disease. Most people experience a flashing light in their vision at some point in their life, but a sudden increase in these flashes could be cause for concern. If things seem darker or dimmer than usual, and you are having difficulty seeing contrast, as though lights have been dimmed or you are wearing tinted glasses, this may indicate a retinal problem. Double vision or distorted vision can be a symptom of various diseases, and often points to a retinal problem. Dark shapes that appear as spots, strings or cobwebs that seem to drift in the eye happen to everyone at times but could signal a problem if they persist or happen more often. A blind spot in the peripheral vision is common in everyone due to the situation of the optic nerve in the retina. However, if several blind spots appear or large shadows seem to be limiting peripheral vision this is often a typical warning sign of a retinal problem. Make an appointment with your optometrist immediately if you experience any sudden changes or loss of vision. Because retinal disease generally happens over a prolonged time, it may be difficult to pinpoint warning signs and gradual changes and to differentiate them from the aging process. Regular visits to your optometrist are essential in order for him or her to monitor any changes in your eyes. The earlier retinal disease is detected and treated, the better the prognosis for stopping or slowing down its progress. Types of Retinal Disease Macular Degeneration Macular degeneration (MD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people aged 50 and older. The macula, which is responsible for sharp clear vision gradually deteriorates, affecting central vision and eventually leading to vision loss if not treated. The two types of macular degeneration are wet and dry macular degeneration. With wet MD, onset of symptoms is sudden and severe. It is caused by blood vessels growing in areas under the macula, leading to fluid and blood leaking in the area and damaging the retina. Dry macular degeneration is caused by the gradual break down of the blood vessels in the retina. Symptoms worsen gradually, so that it is detected only once retinal damage has occurred. Retinal Tears and/or Detachment Like other tissue types, retinal tissue can become torn. Fluid in the eye can fill the tear underneath the retina, causing increased pressure. As the pressure builds, and if the tear is left untreated, the entire retina can detach. Retinal tears can lead to blurred and worsened vision because of this leaking fluid. Sudden and rapid symptoms, such as flashing lights and floaters, are common with retinal detachment. If detected timeously, the tear can be successfully repaired, usually with laser surgery. Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic eye disease can be one of the complications of diabetes. The blood vessels at the back of the eye leak blood and fluid, which leads to blurred or distorted vision, dark spots, and the feeling of pressure in the eye. Early detection and management of the diabetes can slow down the progression of diabetic retinopathy. In many cases, the optometrist notices diabetic changes in the retina even before diabetic symptoms are experienced and diabetes has been diagnosed. Retinitis Pigmentosa This is a genetic disorder that leads to gradual progressive retinal degeneration. Onset is rarely sudden. The rods in the retina, which are responsible for vision in low light, begin to die off slowly. The first symptom is typically night blindness, and the disease progresses to worsening vision, deteriorating colour vision and loss of peripheral vision. Retinoblastoma Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer of the retina that usually affects children. Tumour growth in the eyes damages the retina leading to blurred or distorted vision, vision loss, and even blindness. Retinoblastoma can be treated with laser therapy, radiation, cryotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Macular Hole A macular hole is a small hole or tear in the macula, which is in the central retinal area. It can occur because of illness, eye injury, or aging. This small area of damage can lead to worsened vision, loss of fine details, dark spots, and a "foggy" or blurred field of vision. If you notice any of these signs of retinal disease or have a family history of retinal disease, schedule an appointment with your optometrist. The sooner a problem is detected, the sooner it can be treated and the better the outcome will be. Most importantly, keep up with regular eye examinations. Don't wait for symptoms to appear; by then, the retinal disease may have progressed. |
||||||||