Retina

Hypertensive retinopathy

‘The silent killer’ — high blood pressure is threatening the retinal vessels in your eyes

Hypertensive retinopathy occurs as sustained high blood pressure narrows or
damages the retina’s tiny vessels, with bleeding or exudates causing visual impairment.
The retina is the only place in the body where vessels can be observed directly,
making it a gauge of whole-body vascular health and an early warning of
stroke and cardiovascular risk.

Retinal vascular occlusion

A silent strike that steals sight — a stroke inside the eye

A blocked retinal vessel causes sudden vision loss.
Risk is higher with hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia or heart disease, so caution is needed.

Retinal artery occlusion

Blockage of the vessel that supplies oxygen

Ultra-emergency requiring treatment within 2 hours of onset

Painless, sudden vision loss with risk of blindness

Lowering eye pressure and restoring blocked blood flow

Epiretinal membrane

An opaque fibrous membrane on the macula that distorts vision

An abnormal membrane forms on the macula —
bending vision or making it cloudy.

Timely surgery, before the membrane compresses
the macula, is the key to preserving vision.

Idiopathic
Occurs with ageing in otherwise healthy older adults, without other eye disease.
About 10% occur in both eyes.
Secondary
Develops after eye disease, trauma, or retinal treatment.

Retinal tear

A small tear or hole in the retina, the neural tissue inside the eye;
left untreated it can progress to retinal detachment.
It can arise from vitreous traction, high myopia, trauma or family history,
so early detection and treatment are crucial.

Floaters
Photopsia
Blurred vision
Visual field defect