Retinal Dystrophy

You have begun to see poorly in the dark? You are losing your side vision? It might be the impact of retinal dystrophy.

Retinal dystrophy is progressive loss of visual function. Elderly people and those who suffer from a high degree of myopia are very prone to this disease.

The retina is located at the back of the eye and consists of millions of photosensitive cells, also called photoreceptors. If the photoreceptor cells get damaged, the retina is unable to function properly and struggles to process and transmit visual information to the brain.

Retinal dystrophy is progressive loss of visual function. Elderly people and those who suffer from a high degree of myopia are very prone to this disease.

Causes of Retinal Dystrophy

Retinal dystrophy can be caused by various diseases (renal failure, diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, leukemia, high myopia) and by a genetic predisposition.

Attention! This retinal disease is painless, so you should visit an ophthalmologist at least once a year! This is especially important for the people whose families have a history of retina problems. At Okomedikas Clinic you can undergo a comprehensive eye exam and get an accurate diagnosis.

Forms of Retinal Dystrophy

There are several forms of the disease. The most common are the following:

1. Retinitis pigmentosa, or RP, is an inherited disorder that leads to gradual progressive vision loss. It is usually diagnosed at a young age.
2. Age-related macular degeneration affects the elderly and is associated with aging changes in the body.
3. The white dot syndromes are a group of genetic inflammatory diseases that often affect children and worsen with age.
4. Best disease, also called Best vetelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD), is associated with a cyst forming under the retina. The cyst may rupture which will result in scarring and subsequent dystrophy.
5. Peripheral retinal degeneration – appears when a person has a high degree of myopia. Such patients are at risk for retinal detachment.

Symptoms of Retinal Dystrophy:

• loss of side vision (“tunnel vision”);
• loss of central vision (in advanced cases);
• reduced ability to see at night (“night blindness”),
• increased light sensitivity or glare.

If you have the symptoms of the disease, you should immediately consult your eye doctor. Delaying treatment will result in negative health effects!

Retinal Dystrophy: Recommendations

It is recommended that patients with retinal dystrophy:

1. Avoid direct exposure to UV radiation. Sunglasses will help protect your retina from the sun, but they cannot improve your vision.
2. Take antioxidants. They are an additional agent used for treating patients with retinal dystrophy, but there is no convincing evidence that they are 100% helpful.
3. Quit smoking. Smoking is known to cause oxidative damage to the retina, so anyone predisposed to a retinal disorder should quit this bad habit.
4. Have regular eye exams to monitor the progression of the disease.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Only qualified laser eye surgeons, expert specialists in their field, work at Okomedikas Clinic in Cherkasy. Eye exams are performed using high-precision equipment and the newest universally accepted approaches to the treatment of eye diseases.

As a preventive method for peripheral retinal degenerations, retinal laser photocoagulation is used to treat retinal dystrophy. This procedure helps prevent retinal detachment and restore vision.

Another advantage is low cost surgery, and that it can be performed under local anesthesia, without hospitalization.

Look at the world with new eyes today!