Retinal Conditions & Diseases

These conditions affect the layer of blood vessels beneath the retina, which nourishes the eye and supports vision.

• Angioid Streaks: Small cracks in the choroid that may lead to vision changes over time.
• Choroidal Detachment: Separation of the choroid from the eye wall, which can cause blurred vision.
• Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: Abnormal, bulging blood vessels that may leak fluid under the retina.
• Chorioretinal Folds: Wrinkles in the choroid and retina that can distort central vision.
• Choroidal Hemangioma: A benign tumor in the choroid that may alter vision if it grows.

These growths in or around the retina can be either non-cancerous or cancerous and may require monitoring or treatment.

• Benign Lesions:
  • Bear Tracks (CHRPE): Flat, dark spots that are generally harmless and stable.
  • Astrocytic Hamartoma: A benign tumor of star-shaped cells, usually not affecting vision significantly.
  • Choroidal Nevus: A small, benign pigmented spot in the choroid that is often watched for any changes.
  • Congenital Hypertrophy of the RPE: A pigmented lesion present from birth that typically does not impact vision.
  • Combined Hamartoma of the Retina and RPE: A growth involving both the retina and its pigment layer that may blur vision.
• Malignant Tumors:
  • Intraocular (Uveal) Melanoma: A cancerous tumor that can affect vision and may require prompt treatment.
  • Retinoblastoma: A childhood cancer of the retina that needs urgent care to preserve vision and life.
  • Metastatic Tumors: Cancer that has spread to the eye from another part of the body, which can impact vision.
• Vascular Tumors & Paraneoplastic Syndromes:
  • von Hippel-Lindau Disease: A genetic disorder that can lead to tumors in the eye and other organs.
  • Retinal Capillary Hemangioma (RCH): Abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina that may leak fluid.
  • Retinal Cavernous Hemangioma: A cluster of dilated blood vessels that is usually stable and benign.
  • Bilateral Diffuse Uveal Melanocytic Proliferation (BDUMP): A rare condition linked to cancer that causes widespread changes in the eye's pigmented tissues.

These conditions develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks the retina, sometimes related to an underlying cancer.

• Cancer-Associated Retinopathy: Vision loss that occurs when the immune system targets retinal cells in response to cancer elsewhere in the body.
• Melanoma-Associated Retinopathy: Visual disturbances caused by an immune reaction to melanoma cells.
• Autoimmune Retinopathy: A condition where the body's defense system attacks the retina, leading to gradual vision changes.
• Acute Zonal Occult Outer Retinopathy (AZOOR): A sudden loss of function in specific areas of the retina, likely due to immune causes.
• Bilateral Diffuse Uveal Melanocytic Proliferation (BDUMP): A rare, cancer-related condition that causes diffuse changes in the eye's pigmented layer and can severely affect vision.

These retinal conditions affect children and can interfere with normal visual development, often requiring early diagnosis and treatment.

• Retinopathy of Prematurity: Abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina of premature infants, which can lead to vision loss if untreated.
• Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR): A genetic disorder that affects the development of retinal blood vessels, potentially impairing vision.
• Coats’ Disease: A rare condition causing abnormal retinal blood vessel development and leakage, primarily seen in young boys.
• Persistent Fetal Vasculature: When the fetal blood vessels in the eye do not regress as they should, potentially causing vision problems.

These conditions result from injuries to the eye, which can lead to immediate or delayed effects on vision.

• Commotio Retinae: A temporary whitening of the retina after a blunt injury that may resolve over time.
• Traumatic Retinal Breaks: Tears in the retina caused by injury, which require prompt treatment to prevent detachment.
• Retained Lens Fragments: Small pieces of the eye's lens left after an injury or surgery, which can irritate the retina.
• Intraocular Lens Dislocation: When an implanted lens shifts out of position due to trauma, possibly affecting vision.
• Choroidal Rupture: A break in the choroid layer beneath the retina following a severe impact, which may lead to vision loss.
• Ocular Decompression Retinopathy: Retinal changes that occur after a sudden drop in eye pressure due to trauma or surgery.

Some medications can have side effects that impact the retina, potentially leading to changes in vision over time.

• Hydroxychloroquine Toxicity: Long-term use of this medication may cause damage to the retina and gradual vision loss.
• Thioridazine Retinopathy: Use of thioridazine can lead to pigment changes in the retina, affecting vision.
• Tamoxifen Retinopathy: This cancer treatment drug may cause retinal deposits that can disturb central vision.
• Canthaxanthin Retinopathy: Excessive use of canthaxanthin may result in crystalline deposits in the retina, impacting clarity.
• Deferoxamine Retinopathy: Treatment with deferoxamine for iron overload can sometimes lead to retinal changes that affect vision.
• Niacin-Induced Maculopathy: High doses of niacin may cause swelling in the retina, resulting in vision problems.