What are Retinal Diseases?
Retinal diseases cause severe vision loss or blindness, occur at any age and may be acquired or congenital.
A few of the types are:
1. Inflammatory disorders: Retinitis, Retinal Vasculitis
2. Vascular Disorders:
Retinal Artery/Vein Occlusions
Diabetic Retinopathy
Hypertensive Retinopathy
Retinopathy of Prematurity(R.O.P.)
3. Dystrophies & Degenerations:
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Peripheral Retinal Degenerations
Vitreoretinal Degenerations
4. Macular Disorders
Central Serous Retinopathy(CSR)
Cystoid Macular Edema (C.M.E.)
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Macular Hole
5. Retinal Detachment
6. Tumours: Retinoblastoma, choroidal
When and who are at Risk for Retinal Diseases?
Myopic individuals (those wearing minus power spectacles) have a higher risk of developing certain eye diseases. Additionally, individuals with hypertension and diabetes are also more susceptible, necessitating annual checkups. Furthermore, preterm infants should undergo an eye examination within the first month of birth to prevent the occurrence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
What are the Symptoms of Retinal diseases?
Effects such as vision loss, floaters, flashes of light, and image distortion may be experienced. Patients exhibiting these symptoms should seek consultation with a vitreoretinal team for appropriate evaluation and management.
What is a Retinal Checkup?
Upon arrival, our team of optometrists and consultants conduct a comprehensive assessment to evaluate your condition and provide guidance on the appropriate mode of management. A detailed medical history, including factors like hypertension, diabetes, and other relevant information, is taken into account. The retinal team utilizes this information along with necessary investigations to prescribe suitable medications and plan vitreoretinal surgery, if required.
Fundus Photography And Angiography
Using a specialized fundus camera, a detailed image of the retina is captured, allowing visualization of the central and peripheral retina, optic disc, and macula. Additionally, angiography involves the use of a special fluorescein dye and camera to examine the blood flow within the retina and choroid. These imaging techniques aid in the assessment and diagnosis of retinal and choroidal conditions.
Optical Coherence Tomography ( Avanti- Optovue Wide-field En Face Oct)
Our facility utilizes the Optovue Comprehensive Widefield OCT Imaging technology, which employs light waves to capture 3D cross-section images of the retina. This advanced technology plays a vital role in the diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of various retinal and choroidal diseases. By providing detailed insights into the structural layers of the eye, it enables our medical team to make accurate assessments and provide appropriate treatment plans for our patients.
Laser Photocoagulation
Painless, Outpatient treatment modality for various Retinal Conditions using:
Iridex Dual-port Green Laser with L.I.O.
Iridex dual-port Yellow LASER 577 nm with Micropulse modality and LIO
Quantel Vitra LASER - multispot laser
Appasamy Nd: Yag LASER.
Intravitreal Injections
Certain medications need to be administered through intraocular injections since they cannot reach the interior of the eye through any other route. For instance, anti-VEGF agents and steroids are injected directly into the eye to effectively manage conditions like age-related macular degeneration and macular edema. This targeted approach ensures that the medications directly reach the affected area, maximizing their therapeutic benefits.
Fundus Autofluorescence(Faf)
The utilization of the Topcon Fundus Camera as a diagnostic modality enables us to employ fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging. FAF is a valuable imaging technique used to evaluate changes in the integrity and metabolism of retinal cells. This non-invasive method provides valuable insights into the health and functioning of the retina, aiding in the diagnosis and management of various retinal conditions.
Ultrasonography
B-scan ultrasonography (U.S.G. Quantel Medical France) is a noninvasive imaging tool that aids in the diagnosis of various conditions. It is particularly useful in identifying common conditions such as vitreous degeneration, retinal detachment, orbital diseases, and tumors. This imaging technique provides valuable insights into the internal structures of the eye, allowing for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of these conditions.
Vitreo-Retinal Surgery
We perform Vitreo-Retinal Surgery utilizing the Alcon Constellation® Vitrectomy Vision System. With the availability of different gauge options such as 23 G, 25 G, and 27 G, our surgical procedures benefit from cutting speeds of up to 10,000 cuts per minute, ensuring safer outcomes.
Our surgical expertise encompasses a range of conditions, including retinal detachment, advanced diabetic eye diseases, vitreous hemorrhage, epiretinal membranes, and macular holes. For these complex conditions, surgical intervention is undertaken to address and improve visual outcomes.
Retinopathy Of Prematurity (R.O.P)
Retinopathy of prematurity (R.O.P) is a sight-threatening condition that can affect premature infants with low birth weight or those born before a full-term pregnancy. Screening for R.O.P is typically initiated at one month of age, and these infants are closely monitored until normal retinal vascularization is established. To facilitate accurate assessment, dedicated fundus photography of infants' retinas is performed using a specialized 3nethra Neo fundus camera designed for infants. This enables early detection and appropriate management of R.O.P, helping to prevent potential vision loss in these vulnerable infants.
