retinal diseases

Retinal diseases involve damage to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye responsible for vision. These conditions can lead to partial or complete vision loss.12

Two main categories are:
* Inherited Retinal Degenerations: These are less common but include diseases like retinitis pigmentosa. They often begin with night blindness and a progressive loss of peripheral vision, leading to tunnel vision. Genetic defects are responsible for these conditions.13
* Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD): This common condition affects central vision in people over 50. It involves the development of drusen and abnormalities in the retinal pigment epithelium. The "wet" form, characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth, can cause rapid and severe vision loss.1

Other types of retinopathy, such as diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, and hypertensive retinopathy, result from damage to the retina's small blood vessels due to conditions like diabetes, premature birth, or high blood pressure. Treatments vary depending on the specific disease and its stage, and can include medications, laser therapy, or surgery.24