Medically Reviewed by: Edward C. Wade, M.D., F.A.C.S.
The 6 Most Common Retinal Conditions and Their Warning Signs
Your retina is the thin layer of light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of your eye. It is responsible for turning incoming light into information that your brain can turn into images. So, any damage to the retina can change how clearly you see.
Many common retinal conditions develop without pain, redness, or any visible change to the eye. Early symptoms are often small, such as a blurry patch, a wavy line, or a few new floaters, and they are easy to brush off.
Knowing which changes deserve attention can help you get care before permanent vision loss sets in. Here are six of the most common retinal conditions and the warning signs of each.
1. Age-related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) damages the macula, the small central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision.
There are two kinds of AMD. Dry AMD is the most common and progresses slowly as the macula thins over time. Wet AMD is less common but more serious, because abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid or blood, which can cause faster vision loss.
Because AMD affects central vision first, many eye doctors recommend checking each eye at home with an Amsler grid. An Amsler grid is a simple chart of straight lines that makes distortion easier to spot.
Warning signs of macular degeneration include:
- Blurry or fuzzy central vision
- Straight lines, such as door frames, that look wavy or bent
- Dark, blank, or empty spots in the center of your vision
- Needing brighter light to read or do close work
2. Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy develops when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina. It progresses through four stages, starting with small areas of swelling in the blood vessels and advancing to the growth of fragile new vessels that can bleed into the eye. The early stages rarely cause symptoms, so it’s important for those with diabetes to have a dilated eye exam at least once a year.
Keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in a healthy range also lowers your risk of developing the condition or seeing it get worse.
Warning signs of diabetic retinopathy include:
- Floaters or dark strings drifting across your vision
- Blurry vision, or vision that changes from day to day
- Dark or empty areas in your field of vision
- Trouble seeing at night
3. Retinal Tears and Retinal Detachment
A retinal tear can form when the gel-like vitreous inside the eye shrinks with age and pulls on the retina. If fluid seeps through the tear, it can lift the retina away from the back wall of the eye. This is a retinal detachment, and without prompt treatment it can cause permanent vision loss.
Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. Many people first notice new floaters and flashes, which can mean the vitreous is tugging on the retina.
Your risk is higher if you are very nearsighted, have had eye surgery or an eye injury, or have a family history of detachment.
Warning signs that need same-day care include:
- A sudden shower of new floaters
- Flashes of light, especially in your side vision
- A shadow or curtain moving across part of your vision
- Sudden loss of side (peripheral) vision
If you notice any of these, call an eye doctor right away instead of waiting for a routine appointment.
4. Retinal Vein Occlusion
A retinal vein occlusion happens when one of the veins that carries blood out of the retina becomes blocked. Blood and fluid back up and leak into the retina, causing swelling that blurs vision. It is second only to diabetic retinopathy as a cause of vision loss from retinal blood vessel disease.
This condition is more common in older adults and in people with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or glaucoma. Managing those conditions helps protect your eyes along with the rest of your health.
Warning signs of retinal vein occlusion include:
- Sudden, painless blurring in one eye
- Partial vision loss in one eye
- New floaters or distorted vision
5. Macular Hole
A macular hole is a small break in the macula. It usually forms when the vitreous pulls away from the retina with age and tugs hard enough on the center to tear it. Macular holes occur most often in people over 60 and are more common in women. Symptoms tend to develop gradually and often affect one eye first, so the stronger eye can mask the problem for a while.
Warning signs of a macular hole include:
- Blurry or distorted central vision
- A dark or missing spot in the center of what you are looking at
- Difficulty reading or seeing fine detail
6. Epiretinal Membrane (Macular Pucker)
An epiretinal membrane, often called macular pucker, is a thin layer of scar tissue that forms on the surface of the macula. As the tissue contracts, it wrinkles the retina and distorts central vision.
Macular pucker usually progresses slowly, and mild cases may only need monitoring. Your eye doctor may recommend surgery if the distortion starts to interfere with reading, driving, or other daily tasks.
Warning signs of macular pucker include:
- Wavy or bent lines
- Mild blurring of central vision
- Objects that look a different size in each eye
- Trouble reading small print
Catching Common Retinal Conditions Before They Threaten Your Sight
Some warning signs call for a same-day phone call. A sudden burst of floaters, new flashes of light, a curtain over your vision, or sudden vision loss in one eye should never wait. Gradual changes, such as wavy lines or a slowly blurring center, still deserve a prompt exam.
In addition to eating right, Dr. Paul Stewart suggests you follow the below to help prevent AMD: don’t smoke, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight, keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control, wear sunglasses outdoors to block UV that may cause eye damage, and have regular eye exams.
Many common retinal conditions show up during a dilated exam before you notice any symptoms at all. Advanced retinal testing, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and angiography, gives your doctor a detailed look at each layer of the retina. The specialized retina team at Eye Center of Texas uses these tools to find problems early and recommend treatment that fits your eyes and your health.
Have you noticed any of these changes in your vision? Schedule an appointment at Eye Center of Texas in Houston, TX, today!
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