EYE DISORDERS
Retinal Detachment The retina contains the cells and nerves that translate light into images. If the retina becomes detached, you may feel as if a curtain is covering your eye, or you may experience flashing lights. Your vision will become blurred, and if untreated, you could lose it altogether. A retinal detachment can occur for no apparent reason, or it may result from an injury or a complication of other eye surgery, such as that for cataracts. It is more likely to occur if you are severely myopic (nearsighted) or have diabetes mellitus with eye complications.
How Is Retinal Detachment Treated? It is possible for the retina to be reattached to the back of your eye. The earlier the surgery is done, the better the chance of success. In many instances vision will be effectively restored.
Macular Degeneration Macular degeneration occurs when the central part of the retina, the macula, which is responsible for reading and seeing small objects, gradually becomes damaged. It can occur in both eyes simultaneously. You may have difficulty seeing fine details, and you will notice that changing your glasses offers no improvement.
The diagnosis requires a special examination by an ophthalmologist. Although the disorder cannot usually be treated, on occasion a laser beam can be used to decrease the damage to the retina. The use of magnifying glasses and other visual aids can partially improve your vision.
Retinal Artery Occlusion The main blood vessel to the eye, the retinal artery, can become blocked by a blood clot or a particle of atheroma (fatty material) from a diseased blood vessel. This can result in a sudden, complete or partial loss of vision. Unfortunately, the condition usually cannot be reversed. Some vision may gradually return, depending on the degree of initial damage and whether the main artery or one of its smaller branches was blocked.
Temporal Arteritis Temporal arteritis is a disease of blood vessels and muscles that can affect vision. It often accompanies the type of rheumatism called polymyalgia rheumatica, and it is most common in the elderly. It may occur along with aches and pains in the muscles and joints. You may experience a severe headache and notice a change in your vision.
With an early diagnosis and treatment with cortisone, your vision may be saved and the other symptoms will disappear. Unfortunately, if the diagnosis is not made, the sight in the affected eye may be lost. Cortisone treatment, however, is usually recommended to prevent the second eye from being affected.
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