Description Retinopathy is dama...
Description
Retinopathy is damage to the retina of the eye. The retina is a film-like membrane inside the eye that is a crucial component of sight. Retinopathy can be caused by a variety of conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, sickle cell disease, radiation and prematurity.
Symptoms
Symptoms include visual loss, visual disturbance (blurred, double vision), floaters, eye pain, eye pressure and eye redness.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical will be performed. The exam will focus on the eyes and will likely involve dilation of the eye to allow a thorough exam of the retina. Your doctor may check the pressures in your eyes and take a picture of the back of the eye. Imaging studies such as a fluorescein angiogram and ocular coherence tomography (OCT) may be performed.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC)
Other Specific Tests: BMP, fluorescein angiogram, Ocular coherence tomography (OCT)
Specialists:
Ophthalmology, Pediatric Ophthalmology
Workup:
A history and physical will be performed. The exam will focus on the eyes and will likely involve dilation of the eye to allow a thorough exam of the retina. Your doctor may check the pressures in your eyes and take a picture of the back of the eye. Imaging studies such as a fluorescein angiogram and ocular coherence tomography (OCT) may be performed.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC)
Other Specific Tests: BMP, fluorescein angiogram, Ocular coherence tomography (OCT)
Specialists:
Ophthalmology, Pediatric Ophthalmology
Treatment
Treatment varies depending on the severity and cause of disease. In some cases, no specific treatment is necessary. If diabetes or hypertension is the cause, your doctor will work with you to better control these diseases. In some cases, your doctor may recommend anti-VEGF therapy, laser therapy or steroid injections in the eye. In extreme cases, your doctor may recommend removing the fluid in the eye (vitrectomy).