What Is the Retina?

The retina is the thin layer of nerves that lines the back of the eye. The lens in the eye allows images to pass through, and the Eyeballretina focuses them. It then sends impulses to the brain that communicate the message that the retina has received. Retinal disorders can affect your vision, and some can be serious enough to cause blindness. Brandon Eye Associates, which has offices in Brandon, Plant City and Sun City, FL, offers a range of eye care services to their patients. Here's everything you need to know about the retina.

Light, Lens, Action

Doctors use special microscopes to look at the inner parts of the eye, such as the lens. After light passes through the pupil, it hits the lens. The lens, which is behind the iris, is transparent and colorless. The lens focuses light rays on the back of the eye— the retina. The retina holds millions of cells that are sensitive to light. The retina takes the light the eye receives and changes it into signals so the brain can understand what the eye is seeing.

Rods and Cones Process Light

The retina uses specialized cells called rods and cones to process light. There are about 120 million rods and 7 million cones in each eye. Rods see in white, gray, and black and tell us the shape or form that something has. Rods cannot tell the difference between colors, but they are very sensitive, allowing us to see when it's dark. 

Cones are used to see color and require more light than rods to work well. The retina has three different types of receptor cones. Each cone type is sensitive to one of three different colors — blue, green, or red — to help you see different ranges of color. Together, these cones can sense combinations of light waves that enable your eyes to see millions of colors.

Symptoms of Retinal Diseases

Many retinal disorders share some common symptoms and signs. These may include seeing floating specks or cobwebs, distorted or blurred vision, defects in the side vision, seeing flashes of light and lost vision. Seek immediate medical attention if you're experiencing any of these symptoms. Retinal disorders are diagnosed and treated by ophthalmologists. Ophthalmologists are doctors who specialize in the evaluation and treatment of all types of eye disorders. 

Treatment of Retinal Diseases

Ophthalmologists specialize in the treatment (nonsurgical and surgical) of all types of eye disorders. The main goals of treatment are to slow or stop disease progression and restore or improve your vision. Treatment of retinal diseases may include laser surgery, pneumatic retinopexy, scatter laser photocoagulation, scleral buckling, vitrectomy, or injecting medicine into the eye. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best treatment. 

An eye disorder can affect your day-to-day activities and make life frustrating and miserable. Improve your vision and your life today. Call Brandon Eye Associates at 813-684-2211 today to schedule an appointment in Brandon, FL. Call 813-684-2211 to schedule an appointment in Plant City, FL. Call 813-213-0020 to schedule an appointment in Sun City, FL. We want you to live your best life!

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