In the brain, images are then created by these signals.
If the retina is not functioning as it should, you may be told that you haveretinopathy.
This is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of conditions that may lead to retina-related vision loss.
The blood supply to the retina plays an important role.
A normal healthy retina has blood vessels within it to bring needed oxygen and nutrients to function.
In retinopathy, the blood vessels may leak, overrun the retina, or grow right through it.
Retinopathy affects many different people.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes, can be a sight-threatening disease.
The high blood sugar that is the hallmark of diabetes can affect the eyes.
It can eventually damage small blood vessels in the retina, which may leak fluid.
Because of this, the retina may swell, causing vision to blur or become cloudy.
However, when the blood sugar drops, this can return to normal.
However, the same is not true for damage to the retina.
New abnormal blood vessels may form on the retinal surface to take a stab at improve blood circulation there.
But since these are fragile, they leak blood, block vision, and ultimately damage the retina.
The growth of new blood vessels is calledneovascularization.
Tests can be done to look for it.
Over time, the blood vessels close, causing poor blood flow to the retina.
Proliferative Retinopathy
In response to the poor blood flow, abnormal new blood vessels begin to grow.
Also, new blood vessels may grow into the area where fluid drains from the eye, blocking it.
Treatment
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on the stage of the disease.
Initially, your practitioner may want to watch it, especially if you have good vision.
This may include regular eye exams every two to four months.
If you are at a somewhat later stage, laser treatment may be tried to seal blood vessel leaks.
While this can cause some peripheral vision loss, it may also help preserve important central vision.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) also tends to occur in babies born before 31 weeks of gestation.
It tends to occur in both eyes and is a common cause of vision loss in children.
In ROP, an abundant number of abnormal blood vessels spread across the retina.
It is the retinal detachment that is the main source of vision loss.
The reason that ROP develops seems to be linked to the baby’s development.
But these new blood vessels are fragile and leak.
This can lead to scarring and eventually to retinal detachment.
Still, there can be some signs in more severe cases.
These include:
The need for treatment depends on the severity of the ROP.
In mild cases, it is only necessary to closely watch the condition with frequent examinations.
Hypertensive Retinopathy
Those who have high blood pressure are at risk of developinghypertensive retinopathy.
This is due to a narrowing of the tiny blood vessels that feed the retina.
Visual clarity can be lost if this goes untreated.
Often, there are no symptoms until damage has been done to the retina.
At the mildest stage, the narrowing of your arteries may be barely detectable.
This occurs in a layer known as the retinal pigment epithelium.
If fluid builds up here, it can cause visual distortion and even a detachment.
This condition tends to occur in men between the ages of 30 and 50 and seems to be stress-related.
Central serous retinopathy tends to clear up on its own.
However, if this doesn’t happen and fluid leakage persists, the doctor may prescribe oral medication.
Summary
Retinopathy is a general term for conditions affecting the retina.
In diabetic retinopathy, high blood sugar leads to damage of the blood vessels.
High blood pressure (also often seen in diabetes) may also cause this damage.
Premature infants may have retinopathy of prematurity.
Central serous retinopathy usually occurs in middle-aged adults due to fluid buildup under the retina.
Additionally, many people do not realize they have diabetes or high blood pressure.
But controlling blood sugar levels and blood pressure can help delay progression.
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