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What forms and symptoms do retinal diseases have?

There are different forms of retinal diseases. Symptoms of retinal diseases that are noticeable to the person concerned usually appear after a long period of progression. This is what makes retinal disease so dangerous to the eyesight. If symptoms of retinal diseases appear, an ophthalmologist should be consulted immediately.

These types of retinal disease exist

Retinal diseases can be divided into different groups for clarity’s sake.

Circulatory disorders

The eye is supplied with blood through microscopic and particularly sensitive vessels. If the vessels are damaged, optimal supply is no longer guaranteed. The following vascular diseases cause a circulatory disorder.

  • Diabetic retinopathy

    Diabetics are at high risk of developing diabetic retinopathy , so a close inspection by the ophthalmologist is particularly important.

  • Diabetic macular edema

    As a result of diabetic retinopathy, a macular edema can develop.

  • Retinal vein occlusion

    Vein occlusions are usually caused by arteriosclerosis or clots. If a retinal vein is narrowed or blocked, not enough blood to supply will reach the retina. This is often accompanied by macular edema .

  • Retinal artery occlusion

    The occlusion of a retinal artery is much less common, but it is also a possible cause of a circulatory disorder in the retina and urgently needs treatment.

  • The age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of a significant visual impairment towards blindness. In AMD, the retina is attacked in the back of the eye on the macula. A distinction is made between wet and dry AMD.

  • Vitreous detachment

    In the course of a lifetime, a vitreous detachment can occur in the eye, which leads to small retinal cracks or holes .

  • Retinoschisis

    This is a split in the retina. The inner retinal layer separates from the outer one.

  • Retinal detachment

    Here, the retina detaches itself from the outer surrounding tissue and causes flashes of light and visual loss in the field of vision.

  • Retinal vasculitis

    Retinal vessels can become inflamed as a result of infections. The inflammation can reach the vitreous humor.

  • Viral infections

    An infection with a virus can also affect the retina.

Hereditary retinal diseases

  • Macular dystrophies

    This rare condition occurs on both sides and damages the macula. The loss of vision cannot be stopped medically at the moment.

  • Retinitis pigmentosa

    This disease affects the cells that absorb the incident light in order to make the environment visible to our brain. Here, too, there is currently no curative therapy.

Complaints of retinal disease

Blurred and impaired vision indicate the aforementioned retinal diseases. If symptoms such as impaired vision of any kind occur, the retinal disease is in most cases already advanced. Ophthalmologists are able to recognize retinal disease in advance of the patient and to treat it in good time in order to avoid irreparable damage.

Symptoms of retinal diseases

The following signs and symptoms indicate retinal disease:

  • Blurred vision – a deterioration in vision, both central and peripheral.
  • Distorted vision in the field of vision.
  • Flashes of light and flickering in the field of vision.
  • Soot rain or black dots in front of the eye.
  • Shadows in the field of vision.
  • The field of vision is restricted.
  • Poor vision in the dark.
  • Difficulty reading.
  • Particularly sensitive to light.
  • Loss of vision.

To the ophthalmologist in case of complaints

The symptoms and complaints vary, but they are often particularly typical of retinal diseases that require treatment. Therefore, an ophthalmologist should be consulted immediately in order to avoid worse. Especially risk groups should ideally go to regular check-ups to have early changes diagnosed and treated .

Further information on the subject of retinal disease

Don't be afraid of the ophthalmologist!

Our ophthalmological practice specializes in the detection and treatment of retinal diseases. We use the latest technologies in ophthalmic medicine, work very sensitively, absolutely sterile and particularly precisely, so that examinations and treatment can be experienced quickly and painlessly.