What is Retina?
The retina is the sensory membrane that lines the inner surface of the back of the eyeball. It converts light into electrical signals which are sent to the brain through the optic nerve and the brain interprets them to produce the images that we see. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision. The common diseases affecting the retina are, Retinal detachment, Retinal vascular diseases (e.g. Diabetic retinopathy, Hypertensive Retinopathy, Venous occlusions, Arterial occlusions), Macular disorders (e.g. ARMD, CSCR, CNVM, macular dystrophies), Vitreous Haemorrhage, Retained intraocular foreign body, Anterior segment complications (e.g. Subluxated lens. Dropped Nucleus, Dropped IOL, Endophthalmitis etc.)
This procedure involves using a laser through binocular indirect ophthalmoscope for retinal photocoagulation. It is often used for patients with diabetic retinopathy, venous occlusions, peripheral retinal holes, and lattice degenerations.
Drugs such as Lucentis, Avastin, Ozurdex, and others are injected in the eye to prevent further loss of vision after the pupil is dilated and numbed with anesthesia. These can often help in halting progression or reversing the disease pathology in diabetic retinopathy, vein occlusions, or age-related macular degeneration.
Vitrectomy is done to repair or prevent retinal detachment, especially when it threatens to affect the macula. We have the most advanced vitrectomy machine and the expertise to deal with complex retinal problems.
A small amount of yellow fluorescein dye is injected which travels to the eye, where it highlights the blood vessels. It is particularly useful in showing leaking blood vessels and highlighting where the blood supply at the back of the eye is poor. After this, photographs of the eye are taken.
While optical techniques can reveal much about the structure of the retina, ultrasound allows imaging of the choroid and deeper tissues.
