Eyes are one of the most significant organs of the human body through which people capture the essence and color of the world. However, they are also susceptible to one ailment or the other that may considerably affect vision. The most frequent and severe types are vitreo-retinal diseases and macular diseases. Despite being both diseases that damage the retina of the eye and are potential causes of vision loss, they have their differences in terms of causes, signs, and management. It is crucial to identify these differences to diagnose the disease at an early stage and, therefore, apply an appropriate treatment to maintain vision and enhance the patient’s quality of life.
What is Vitreo-Retinal Disease
Vitreo-retinal disease is a term used to describe a large group of diseases that affect the retina and the vitreous humor of the eye. The retina is a thin layer of tissue located at the back of the eye which works to change light into electrical impulses that can be interpreted by the brain as sight. Any interference in this process may result in vision impairment.
Common Types of Vitreo-Retinal Diseases
- Retinal Detachment: This is a condition that happens when the retina detaches from the underlying tissue, and if not treated, causes blindness.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: A complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina leading to a loss of vision or blindness if left unchecked.
- Macular Holes: A minor break in the macula (central part of the retina) which may cause blurry or distorted vision.
- Retinitis Pigmentosa: An inherited eye disease that results in the progressive degeneration of the photoreceptors of the retina.
What is Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a disease that impacts the macula, the portion of the retina that is used for precise vision and is most commonly known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD. AMD is the most common cause of blindness in individuals above the age of fifty years. It occurs in two forms: dry and wet.
- Dry Macular Degeneration: The one that is more prevalent and is as a result of the gradual degeneration of the macula. Vision loss occurs gradually.
- Wet Macular Degeneration: A less frequent but more serious form that results from leakage of the blood vessels within the retina, resulting to fast deterioration of vision.
Key Differences Between Vitreo-Retinal Disease and Macular Degeneration
Vitreo-retinal disease and macular degeneration are both disorders of the retina but are distinct in many ways.
Affected Area:
Vitreo-retinal diseases as the name suggests involves the retina as a whole, though the macula is part of the retina, the macula degeneration only affects the central part of the retina.
Causes:
Vitreo-retinal diseases may be caused by trauma, genetics, diabetes, or ageing, while macular degeneration is mainly an ageing disease with a strong genetic predisposition.
Symptoms:
Vitreo-retinal diseases may present a variety of signs and symptoms such as flashing lights, floaters or loss of peripheral vision.
Most of the macular degeneration impacts central vision, which leads to blurred vision, problem in reading, and dark patches in the center of the vision.
Progression:
Some vitreo-retinal diseases, for example, retinal detachment, may be characterized by the progression of the pathology and require urgent treatment.
The dry form of macular degeneration tends to be a slow-moving disease while the wet form can cause sudden vision loss.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In both vitreo-retinal diseases and macular degeneration, the sooner the problem is diagnosed, the better. These conditions can be diagnosed early enough through routine eye check-ups before they comp.
- Most vitreo-retinal diseases are diagnosed by imaging the eye using tests such as the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Retinal Photography. Depending on the type of disease, the treatment can be surgical or with the help of lasers and injections to eliminate the consequences, such as diabetic retinopathy.
- Macular degeneration is diagnosed using similar tests and, although there is no cure for it, anti-VEGF injections can help to stop the wet macular degeneration from getting worse. In the case of dry macular degeneration, prevention measures include; taking the right diet and quitting smoking.
It is therefore important to distinguish between vitreo-retinal diseases and macular degeneration if one wants to safeguard his/her sight. Both of these diseases are dangerous for eyesight but they are different in origin, manifestations and treatment. These conditions can be successfully managed early diagnosed and treated and vision loss prevented.
If you or anybody close to you experiences any of these signs of the eye conditions, do not hesitate to consult with an eye doctor. At The Eye Foundation, we diagnose and treat many eye diseases including vitreo-retinal diseases and macular degeneration. Come and visit us today and start the process of protecting your vision effectively. Book Appointment today!
