The retina is the thin, light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It senses light and sends signals to the brain so we can see. Retinal disorders can blur or distort vision, and some can lead to vision loss or blindness.
Causes and risk
Causes vary. Aging is a common factor, and the risk is higher for people who smoke, have obesity, have conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, have had an eye injury, or have a family history of retinal disorders.
Common retinal disorders
| Disorder | What happens |
|---|---|
| Macular degeneration | The macula, the center of the retina that lets us see fine detail, breaks down; there are wet and dry types |
| Diabetic retinopathy | Diabetes damages small blood vessels in the retina, making them swell or leak |
| Retinal detachment | The retina pulls away from the back of the eye, a medical emergency |
| Retinal tear | A hole or break in the retina, caused when the gel-like vitreous inside the eye pulls away |
| Retinoblastoma | A rare cancer of the retina, most often in young children |
| Macular pucker | Scar tissue forms on the macula and distorts vision |
| Macular hole | A small opening in the macula, often from aging or injury, that can blur or distort central vision |
| Eye floaters | Small specks, cobwebs or threads that drift across vision, more common with age |
| Retinitis pigmentosa | A group of inherited disorders that slowly damage the retina, causing loss of night and side (peripheral) vision |
Symptoms
Most retinal disorders affect vision:
- blurred or distorted vision
- loss of central or side vision
- flashes of light
- floating specks or cobwebs
- trouble seeing at night
- sudden vision loss, in severe cases
Get medical care right away for flashes of light, sudden changes in vision, or a sudden increase in floaters; they can signal a serious retinal problem.
Diagnosis
Eye care providers check the retina in a dilated eye exam, using drops to widen the pupils. Other tests include optical coherence tomography (OCT) for detailed images inside the eye, fluorescein angiography to check the retina's blood vessels, and visual field tests of side vision.
Treatment
Some retinal disorders can be treated to slow or stop vision loss, and sometimes to restore vision. Depending on the cause and severity, treatment may include laser therapy, medicines or eye injections, surgery, and managing conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Protecting your eyes
Not all retinal disorders can be prevented, since some come with aging or genes. But you can protect your eyes by wearing safety goggles or sunglasses, getting regular eye exams, not smoking (or quitting), and managing diabetes and blood pressure.
Sources
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), "Retinal Disorders," from the National Eye Institute. https://medlineplus.gov/retinaldisorders.html
- The source calls the inherited condition "retina pigmentosa"; it is given here as retinitis pigmentosa.
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