What is the retina?
The retina is a part of the eye that is essential for vision. Located in the back of your eye, it’s a thin tissue lining on the inside back wall of the eye that transfers light input into signals for the optic nerve. Without a healthy retina, your vision is severely impaired or gone altogether.
Many conditions affecting the retina get worse over time the longer they go without treatment. The team at Foothill Eye Institute thoroughly evaluates your retina to check its health and function each time you come in for an eye examination. This way, they can catch retinal conditions before your vision declines significantly.
What is retina care?
Retina care refers to the treatments and services you get to improve or maintain healthy retinas and clear vision. Most forms of retina care aim to preserve the vision you have left, stabilize your eyesight, or even improve it a little.
If you’re predisposed to retinal conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, you’ll need to come in for more frequent visits to Foothill Eye Institute than you would otherwise. The team monitors your retinal health even if your vision is perfectly intact and can provide treatment if necessary.
Often, treatments for retinal conditions work by repairing defects in the retina. Many conditions respond well to conservative treatments like low vision rehabilitation, injections, or treatments for underlying conditions like diabetes. Other conditions require surgical repair or laser treatment. Clinical trials for retinal conditions are also available at Foothill Eye Institute.
Which conditions can affect the retina?
The team at Foothill Eye Institute specializes in treating many of the most common conditions involving the retina and resulting vision loss. Their specialties include:
Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment happens when fluid passes through a tear in the retina, which causes the retina itself to break away from the tissues under it.
Retinal tear
Sometimes, the retina can rip. This happens when the tension from the gel inside your eye tugs on the retina and overstretches it.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of unmanaged or mismanaged diabetes. It causes the small blood vessels in your eyes to expand and possibly leak. This causes blurry or distorted vision.
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), happens when the central part of your retina breaks down due to aging.
To schedule an appointment for top-of-the-line retina care, call Foothill Eye Institute or book an appointment online today.
