man-with-narrow-eyes-squinting-trying-see-small-text

How the Retina Works

/in /by

You rely on your eyes every day, but few people think about how vision actually works, on a purely mechanical level. The mechanism of the eye has been compared to the way a camera works, and, truth be told, that’s not too far from the truth. Specifically, the retina works by converting light into brain signals. It’s all very interesting, as your Wilmington, NC optometrist explains.

A Closer Look at Light and Sight

As light enters your eye, it passes through the cornea and lens, which help focus the light directly onto the retina. Once the light reaches the retina, it triggers specialized cells called photoreceptors. There are two kinds: rods, which handle dim lighting and help with night vision, and cones, which process bright light and allow you to see color and sharp detail.

These cells take in the light, convert it into tiny electrical impulses, and send that information to your brain through the optic nerve. Your brain then assembles those signals into the images you see every day—like reading a sign, watching a movie, or recognizing a familiar face.

Why Retina Care Matters

Because the retina is essential to sight, even small problems can have serious consequences. Conditions like diabetic eye disease, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration can impact how well the retina works.

Be aware that some of these issues develop slowly, while others happen suddenly—but all require timely attention.

Keep Your Vision in Focus

Routine eye exams give your eye doctor the chance to examine your retina and spot early signs of trouble. Blurry vision, flashes of light, or a sudden increase in floaters should never be ignored.

Protecting your retina means protecting your ability to see clearly—not just today, but for years to come. Protect your vision by scheduling an.  eye exam in Wilmington, NC today. Many problems with the eyes—including the retina—can be detected early through a simple eye exam.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

/in , , /by

Diabetic retinopathy is a side effect of diabetes. It may cause blurred vision, vision that seems to fluctuate, dark strings or spots that seem to float across your vision, and eventually vision loss. The more uncontrolled your diabetes, the greater risk you stand of developing retinopathy. However, if you take care to get your condition under control and maintain your blood sugar at safe levels, you may avoid this complication. Your eye doctor in Wilmington, NC, can diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy.

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

When you have excessive amounts of sugar in your blood, this can interfere with blood flow in the tiny vessels that nourish the retina. As a result, the blood supply is cut off, and your eye attempts to grow new vessels in this area. If the new vessels don’t develop properly, they may leak blood. This can obscure your vision and may also lead to an excess of fluid buildup in your eye. Scar tissue may also develop where new blood vessels attempt to grow. They can cause your retina to detach from the back of the eye.

Do I Have Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?

If you’re experiencing changes in your vision, it’s time to make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam. This is especially important if you have a condition such as diabetes or hypertension. Early symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include trouble reading, trouble seeing far away, and trouble seeing at night. Advanced symptoms include seeing unexplained flashes of light as well as the other symptoms listed above. Surprisingly, you may have no symptoms at all if the condition is in its earliest stages.

Can Diabetic Retinopathy Be Treated?

The first step in treating diabetic retinopathy is to bring diabetes under control. Through a healthy diet, daily exercise, and medication, you may be better able to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Treatment for this disorder focuses on stopping its progression to prevent total vision loss. A vision specialist is the best choice when it comes to diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders in Wilmington, NC.

Paul Vision Institute Can Help

In Wilmington, NC, Paul Vision Institute can diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy. Call today to schedule an eye exam and consultation. The sooner this condition is detected and treatment begins, the more successful the outcome.