Various Retina Eye Diseases You Need to Know

The retina of the eye is a thin layer behind the eye that is useful for capturing light. Damage to this layer will affect your ability to see. The main function of the eye's retina is to capture light and arrange it as visual information which is then sent to the brain through the optic nerve. In the middle of this neural network there is a macula that makes you able to see clearly. The retina of the eye has a very important role in vision. If the retina is affected by certain diseases, vision can be disrupted.

Disease of the Retina of the Eye

The following are some diseases of the retina of the eye that can reduce the ability to see:

1. Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that causes blocked blood vessels in the retina of the eye. This condition can make the retina swell or leak. This is likely to trigger the formation of new blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels are more fragile, making them more fragile and can interfere with vision.

2. Macular degeneration

Another disorder that can reduce the function of the eye's retina is macular degeneration. This condition is characterized by decreased visual ability caused by damage to the central part of the retina (macula). Macular degeneration is more common in people who are elderly.

3. Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment occurs when the eye's retina is detached from its supporting tissue. This condition is classified as a serious problem and requires immediate treatment. Without prompt and proper treatment, retinal detachment can cause permanent blindness.

4. Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a type of eye cancer that is fairly rare and can interfere with vision function. Retinoblastoma is more common in children, especially toddlers. The main sign of retinoblastoma is the reflex of a cat's eye, which is the appearance of reflected white light on the pupils of the eye, when exposed to light beams or camera blits.

How to Maintain Eye Retina Health

To keep your retina healthy, there are several steps you can take, namely:

1. Consumption of nutritious foods

Meet your nutritional needs, especially vitamins A, C, and E, lutein, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. You can get these nutrients by eating green vegetables, beans, eggs, and sea fish.

2. Wear sunglasses

Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light in the eye can increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Therefore, wear sunglasses when you want to do long activities outdoors during the day.

3. Rest your eyes

Too long staring at a computer screen or cell phone (cellphone) can cause eyestrain. This habit can cause blurred vision, difficult to focus eyes, dry eyes, and pain in the head and nape. You can work around this by taking your eyes off the computer or cellphone screen for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes.

4. Stop smoking

Effects of smoking in the long run can interfere with overall health, including eye health. Smoking can increase the risk of cataracts, optic nerve damage, and macular degeneration that can cause blindness. For that, you are advised to stop smoking. To clearly assess the health of the retina of the eye, an examination of the retina by an eye doctor is required. Retinal eye examination aims to determine the possibility of damage to the retina or problems related to decreased retinal function. Some examinations that may be recommended by an ophthalmologist to assess the condition of the retina include radiological examination (USG, CT scan, MRI), optical coherence tomography (OCT), amsler grid test, and angiography with contrast substances Diseases of the eye's retina should not be underestimated because they can interfere with vision, even cause blindness. If you experience complaints with eyes or vision, you should immediately consult an eye doctor to get the right treatment.