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Function of the Retina

Eye Test — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:18:02 +0000

What is the Retina?

The retina is a layer that covers the back of the eye which contains cells called rods and cones which collect to light taken in by the eye and converts them in to images that is sent to the brain. The retina is important to your central vision as it contains the macula and also your peripheral sight (side vision).

The macula has a high amount cells and is important for detailed sight where as the peripheral retina is required to be able to move about safely although it has less cells in this area compared to the macula and therefore the level of detail is less in the peripheral field of vision.

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How is Retinal Detachment Caused?

Eye Test — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:17:06 +0000

The inside of the eye contains a gel called the vitreous which is a clear substance and allows light to pass through it, to the retina. When the retina develops a tear or a hole it allows the vitreous gel to seep behind the retina between it’s supporting tissue.

When this occurs the retina is weakened, increasingly causing more of the retina to become detached as the vitreous buids up behind the retina, if left undetected. In this condition the retinal is unable to convert the light that is entering the eye and creates a dim or blurred vision to which is sent to the brain.

Signs & Symptoms of Retinal Detachment

Eye Test — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:16:16 +0000

There are two most noticeable signs for retinal detachment, those are either dark shades or shadows in your vision, known as floaters these can look like strands, dots or flies in your vision. The other is bright flashes which represent lightening streaks usually in the peripheral vision. It is not always the case that the retina has already become detached but when these symptoms are experienced it may mean that there is tear or a hole in the retina usually these symptoms precede a retinal detachment however most people fail to have it checked.

If anyone finds that there vision has faded or blocked completely in any part of their vision, this may mean that the tear has progressed to a retinal detachment and must be seen to immediately as an delay can result in loss of sight especially if it reaches the macula in the retina.

If these symptoms are experienced an eye exam must be made to investigate this matter further, this will normally be referred to an opthalmologist (eye specialist) to investigate and treat the condition.

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Risks of Retinal Detachment

Eye Test — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:15:22 +0000

What are the risk factors of a Retinal Detachment occurring?

Retinal detachment is not dependant on age, but is known to be quite common in younger adults between the ages of 25-50 who are severely near-sighted. A retinal detachment does not occur merely from tears in the retina, which are uncommon, they can occur from injury, trauma to the eye or eye diseases in the eye.

Eye Conditions Causing Retinal Detachment

Eye conditions that are more likely to cause retinal detachment are as follows:

Cataract Surgery – The surgery removes clouded arts of the lens
Severe short sightedness (Myopia) – Those that that have a prescription of -5 to -6 have an increased chance of having retinal detachment which is further increased if they have any operation or surgeries to the eye, for example cataracts.
Lattice Degeneration – This condition is can occur in about 7% of the general population, in which the retina is sometimes stretched thin in the back of the eye and starts to perforate near the edges of the retina. As the name suggest the perforation resembles a lattice pattern. This is common in patients with high myopia as the eyes in these patients are slightly larger than normal eyes. The peripheral vision can be affected in this case as the outside edges of the retina is affected.
Uveitis – This is a condition where the inner part of the eye has chronic inflammation caused by a virus, fungus or parasite.
Eye Drops – Certain eye drops used over a period of years can affect the retina and cause retinal detachment.
Trauma – blunt or sharp trauma to the eye can cause retinal detachment.
Existing Retinal Detachment – In some cases where there has been a retinal detachment in one eye, the other eye can develop the same condition.
Inherited Condition – A history of retinal detachment, which is non-traumatic suggest that the condition may be within the family.
Diabetes – The abnormal blood vessels and scar tissue on the retina can cause retinal detachment if the scar tissue breaks away to expose a hole in the retina.

Retinal Detachment

Eye Test — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:06:22 +0000

What is a Retinal Detachment?

In this condition the retinal tissue has started or has become detached from its support tissue that holds it place to the back of the eye. This happens when a hole, or tear has developed from either an injury or some ongoing eye problems.

It often only happens in one eye, however both eyes should be checked regularly to prevent any further problems especially in cases where a person has diabetes, where sometimes the risks are greater from retinal detachment.