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Retinopathy is the general name of a condition of the eyes in which the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the retina of the eyes are damaged. The retina is a light-sensitive membrane that lines the back of the eyes, and a healthy retina is vital to normal vision. The retina is a light-sensitive membrane that lines the back of the eyes and transmits converts light into electrical impulses and transmits them to the optic nerve and the brain.
Retinopathy develops due to damage the blood vessels of the retina. This leads to leaking or bleeding of the blood vessels or the growth of abnormal blood vessels. These processes can prevent light from reaching the retina. This leads to the typical symptoms of retinopathy, such as changes in vision, including blurred vision. There also may be eye pain in retinopathy. However, in early stages of retinopathy, there may be no noticeable symptoms.
In later stages of retinopathy, serious complications can result, including retinal detachment and blindness. For more details about complications and symptoms, see symptoms of retinopathy.
Types of retinopathy include retinopathy of prematurity, which is caused by the incomplete development of the blood vessels of the eyes due to premature birth. Diabetic retinopathy can occur in people with diabetes as blood vessels are damaged by long-term high levels of blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Hypertensive retinopathy can occur in people with hypertension as blood vessels are damaged by long-term high blood pressure.
Diagnosing retinopathy begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms, and completing a physical examination, including an extensive eye examination. Diagnosis of retinopathy is generally made by an eye specialist called an ophthalmologist.
An eye examination for many people with retinopathy includes testing visual acuity or sharpness of vision, checking the sharpness of peripheral vision, and testing the pressure inside the eye. The outer eye is examined using an instrument called a slit lamp, and the inner eye is examined using an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. During the exam with an ophthalmoscope, the pupils of the eye are dilated (opened up) with a drop of medication so that the ophthalmologist can best see any changes in the retina, such as leaking blood vessels, or abnormal new blood vessels.
A diagnosis of retinopathy and its cause can be delayed or missed because symptoms develop gradually in some forms of retinopathy. In addition, symptoms of retinopathy are similar to symptoms of other eye diseases and conditions. For information about diseases and conditions that can mimic retinopathy, refer to misdiagnosis of retinopathy.
Prevention of retinopathy is very important for people with diabetes and hypertension. The longer a person has diabetes or hypertension, the more likely a person will develop retinopathy. Good control of blood sugar levels and blood pressure minimizes the risks of developing retinopathy and can slow progression of the condition. Regular prenatal care is vital to preventing premature birth and retinopathy of prematurity. For more information on prevention and treatment, refer to treatment of retinopathy....more »
A diagnosis of retinopathy may be delayed or missed because retinopathy can develop gradually. In early stages, there may be no symptoms, and people may be unaware of having retinopathy until complications, such as blurred vision, develop. In addition, some symptoms of retinopathy, such as blurred vision, seeing spots, change in vision, sudden loss of vision, and eye ...more misdiagnosis »
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Retinopathy.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
See full list of 84 causes of Retinopathy
» Review Causes of Retinopathy: Causes | Symptom Checker »
Home medical tests possibly related to Retinopathy:
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Retinopathy, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
See full list of 501 Symptom Checkers for Retinopathy
The first step in the treatment of retinopathy is prevention. The damage done to the blood vessels of the retinas of the eyes can be permanent, so it is vital that people with hypertension or diabetes prevent its occurrence. Regular prenatal care is vital to preventing premature birth and retinopathy of prematurity.
Prevention, as well as ...Retinopathy Treatments
Review further information on Retinopathy Treatments.
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The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Retinopathy as a symptom.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 4
medications causing Retinopathy
Some of the comorbid or associated medical symptoms for Retinopathy may include these symptoms:
See all associated comorbid symptoms for Retinopathy
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Retinopathy:
Read more about causes and Retinopathy deaths.
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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Retinopathy
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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Retinopathy
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Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Retinopathy:
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Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:
Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:
Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible
causes of Retinopathy as a symptom include:
See full list of 84
causes of Retinopathy
- (Source - Diseases Database)
The list below shows some of the causes of Retinopathy mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 84 causes of Retinopathy
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Retinopathy. Of the 84 causes of Retinopathy that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
See the analysis of the prevalence of 84 causes of Retinopathy
The following list of conditions have 'Retinopathy' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Retinopathy or choose View All.
The following list of medical conditions have Retinopathy or similar listed as a medical complication in our database. The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear, and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
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This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Retinopathy based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Retinal pathology, Retinal abnormality
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Medical Conditions associated with Retinopathy:
Retina symptoms (307 causes), Eye symptoms (5412 causes), Face symptoms (8109 causes), Head symptoms (10192 causes)
Symptoms related to Retinopathy:
Retina symptoms (307 causes), Diabetic retinopathy (9 causes), Eye symptoms (5412 causes), Blurred vision (982 causes), Prematurity, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, Arteriosclerosis (13 causes), Hypertensive retinopathy, Arteriosclerotic retinopathy, Excessive alcohol, Diabetes (212 causes)
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
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Copyright © 2011 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved. Last Update: 7 May, 2013 (0:21)
