Is There Any Treatment Available For A Damaged Retina?

The retina converts light and images into electrical signals sent to the brain. A damaged retina can cause serious vision problems. In addition to red and green color blindness, severe damage can lead to loss of central vision. It’s important to visit an eye doctor near you immediately if you experience symptoms to receive treatment immediately.

What are the Causes of Retinal Damage

Retinal damage is a condition that may cause vision loss if left untreated. Its causes vary, and they include:

• • High blood pressure

Hypertension can cause damage to the retina, optic nerve, and visual field. When high blood pressure damages this tiny light-sensitive structure in your eyes, you may lose some or all vision in one or both eyes. High blood pressure can also affect this pathway through which our brains simultaneously receive visual images from both eyes.

• • Aging

It’s true that your eyes age, just like your skin and hair do. But this doesn’t mean you have to worry about getting older.

There are many ways to prevent retinal damage from aging, including wearing glasses that protect against glare and UV rays (the sun), using sunscreen daily on all exposed areas (face, neck), eating healthful foods like fruits and vegetables every day (which help keep your blood pressure low), exercising regularly (to strengthen bones), avoiding tobacco use if possible

• • Diabetes

Glaucoma, the most common cause of blindness among seniors, develops when the pressure inside the eye increases and damages the optic nerve. The optic nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.

Diabetes can cause glaucoma because it affects the body’s ability to regulate fluid balance. Fluid build-up can contribute to glaucoma by increasing retina pressure, damaging the optic nerve, or causing permanent vision loss.

• • Smoking

Smoking cigarettes is a major risk factor for the development of glaucoma. Smoking causes an increase in intraocular pressure, which may lead to glaucoma.

Smoking also increases the production of harmful substances called free radicals, which damage cells and tissues. This can cause cataracts or macular degeneration, serious eye diseases that can lead to blindness.

Smoking also reduces blood flow to the optic nerve, leading to a lack of blood flow which can cause scarring and degeneration of the retina. This damage increases pressure inside the eye and causes glaucoma.

• • Certain medical conditions

Retinal damage can also be caused by certain medical conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes, and smoking.

Macular degeneration affects the part of the retina responsible for vision at far distances (macula). As you age, your eyesight begins to deteriorate because it becomes harder for your eye to focus on objects close up or far away. This condition is preventable through regular eye exams, prescription glasses, or contact lenses if needed.

Types of Treatment for a Damaged Retina

An optometrist in Glendale, CA, can use several types of treatment to treat a damaged retina.

• • Surgery for retinal repair

Several surgical options are available for treating a damaged retina, depending on the extent of the damage. If the retina is only slightly damaged, a laser procedure may be used to seal off the leaking blood vessels and prevent further leakage. If the retina is severely damaged, more invasive surgery may be necessary to remove and replace the damaged tissue with healthy tissue. In some cases, a retinal prosthesis can be implanted to restore vision.

• Lifestyle and Dietary Changes

Several lifestyle and dietary changes can help improve retinal health and reduce the risk of further damage.

• Quitting smoking
• Eat fruits, vegetables, and Omega-3 fatty acids
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Wearing sunglasses when outdoors
• Reducing exposure to harmful toxins and chemicals
• Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
• Visiting an ophthalmologist retina specialist regularly for an assessment is also crucial.

Schedule an Appointment

Retinal damage is a serious condition that can lead to blindness. But, there are different treatments available; depending on the damage’s severity, various options, such as medications and laser surgery, may be used to help restore vision or slow down further destruction. Visit Glendale Eye Medical Group for more information about the treatment options.