Nerve (retina) diseases

Retinal problems often start unnoticed, without symptoms. The following are the most common:

• Diabetic retinopathy – a vascular condition in diabetics that can lead to blindness if left untreated.
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – atrophy of the macula, which mainly impairs sharp vision.
• Retinal detachment – a condition that requires urgent attention; it may be alerted by flashing lights, black curtain-like haze.
• Vascular and venous occlusions – circulatory problems with sudden loss of vision.
• Inherited retinal dystrophies – for example, retinitis pigmentosa, which causes slowly progressive narrowing of the visual field.