Description

Retina

What is Retina?

The retina is the innermost layer of the eye. This layer contains receptors that detect
light and convert it into electrical signals. Although these receptors are
spread over the entire retina, they are more concentrated in the region called
the macula or yellow spot. Light rays that pass through the cornea and are
refracted in the lens of the eye fall on the retina. If there is a problem
in the retina, visual disturbances occur as light perception will be impaired.

How is Retina Examination Performed?

If the retina of the eye is damaged, visual disturbances occur. Many diseases affecting the retina
occur especially with advancing age. Some of these diseases progress
insidiously without any symptoms or when some diseases start to show symptoms,
it may be too late for treatment. Retinal examination is extremely
important for the early diagnosis of diseases. Even if you do not
have any eye complaints, eye and retina examination should be performed every
two years, if there is a similar history in the family.

 An instrument called an ophthalmoscope is used
for retinal examination. This instrument consists of a lens and a
light source. By looking through the pupil, the structures in the retina
and the problems in these structures can be seen.

What are Retinal Diseases?

There are different diseases that cause vision problems by causing retinal damage. Some of
these diseases require immediate intervention.

Retinal detachment: It is the separation of the nerve
layer and the pigment layer in the retina. This disease, which is seen as
a detachment with or without a tear, requires urgent intervention. If the
necessary intervention is not made, permanent vision loss occurs in the
patient. If the retina leaves this layer, it cannot be fed. As a
result, the cells die. The death of receptor cells causes permanent
blindness. When retinal detachment is seen, it is necessary to intervene
without damaging the cells. Eye examination is important for the detection
of tears. Permanent vision problems can be prevented with a detailed eye
examination. If a tear is detected before detachment develops, laser
therapy is used and repaired. Problems such as cataracts prevent the
bottom of the eye from being seen from the outside. Ophthalmic
ultrasonography can be used in patients whose fundus examination cannot be
performed.

Retinal vascular diseases: Bleeding or swelling of the
blood vessels in the retina results in visual loss. This situation occurs
as a result of increased intravascular blood pressure in diabetes and hypertension
diseases. In order to prevent vision loss and prevent retinal damage, the
disease that causes it must be treated.

Macular degeneration: It is the damage of the macular
region, where image receptors are abundant, due to various reasons. The
most common type is age-related macular degeneration, also abbreviated as AMD disease. AMD
is the most common cause of vision loss in patients over 60 years of
age. Sun rays, smoking, various diseases and genetic predisposition can be
effective in the emergence of the disease. There are different types of
AMD disease. It may not be possible to treat the disease, which usually
progresses without symptoms and insidiously, in advanced stages. The
progression of the disease can be controlled with various laser treatments.