The last Saturday of September is ‘World Retina Day’
If left untreated, retinal disease can lead to vision damage, so early diagnosis and treatment are of the utmost importance (Photo = Clip Art Korea).
Every year, on the last Saturday of September, the International Retina Union establishes ‘World Retina Day’am. The retina plays a very important role in receiving light from the eye and transmitting it to the brain. It is made up of fine blood vessels and nerve cells, so it requires more careful management.However, retinal disease still feels unfamiliar. In celebration of World Retina Day, we have selected three major retinal diseases that you should be aware of.
■’Retinal detachment’ that even young people need to watch out for
Retinal detachment is a disease in which the retina separates from the inner wall of the eye. Especially retinal detachment Most often caused by retinal tears, which are holes in the retina.do. The retina is adhered to a sticky, transparent vitreous body like jelly. When this vitreous body liquefies and creates an empty space, it separates from the retina. At this time, the vitreous pulls on the retina, causing the retina to tear or create a tear.
Retinal detachment can occur in any generation. especially It also occurs when there is a severe impact to the eye.I can do it as usual Young people who enjoy sports activities need to be especially careful.do. High myopia, family history of retinal abnormalities, eye surgery, and diabetes are also risk factors.It is considered as
Since retinal detachment occurs due to a variety of causes, there is no specific prevention method. thus It is important to be aware of the symptoms of retinal detachment and receive early diagnosis and treatment.do. If retinal detachment continues, the function of the optic cells gradually deteriorates and eventually the retina can become permanently atrophied, leading to vision damage.
Professor Lee Joo-yong of the Department of Ophthalmology at Asan Medical Center in Seoul said,▲Have risk factors for retinal detachment ▲Symptoms where bugs seem to be floating in front of the eyes ▲Photopsis where the front of the eyes flashes ▲Visibility disorder (symptoms where the field of vision is blocked from above, below, left and right as if there is a curtain) ▲Symptoms where objects appear distorted etc.“If this appears, you must quickly visit an ophthalmologist and receive treatment,” he advised.
■Diabetic retinopathy, a diabetic complication that occurs in the eyes
Diabetes can cause complications in microcirculation throughout the body. especially Eyes have the most fragile capillaries, making them vulnerable to complications.do. Diabetic retinopathy, which occurs in the retina, is a representative example. Statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service show that the number of diabetic retinopathy patients has increased approximately 1.3 times (135.5%) over the past 10 years (177,022 in 2013 to 375,555 in 2022). In particular, the number of patients in their 20s has increased by about 1.5 times, which is believed to be due to the increase in young diabetes patients due to changes in eating habits.
Once diabetic retinopathy occurs, it is difficult to restore normal vision and, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. but There are no significant symptoms until the disease progresses significantly, and only when there is an abnormality in the macula, which is responsible for vision, do symptoms such as decreased vision or floating objects appear.appears. thus Early diagnosis through screening is importantdo.
Professor Moon Yong-seok of the Department of Ophthalmology at Hallym University Gangnam Sacred Heart Hospital said,After being diagnosed with diabetes, even if you do not have any special eye symptoms, you should visit an ophthalmologist regularly and undergo tests to check the condition of your retina, such as a fundus examination. “The longer the person has had diabetes, the higher the risk of developing it, so medication, dietary adjustments, etc. Diabetes must also be managed thoroughly on a regular basis. “We do it,” he emphasized.
■Macular degeneration, something you should not miss in old age
Macular degeneration is an eye disease that is being watched more closely as the population ages. The macula is where the cells that receive light are most concentrated and is responsible for 90% of vision. However, changes occur due to various causes such as aging, smoking, genetics, inflammation-related factors, and high myopia, causing visual impairment.
Among these Aging is the main causeIt is considered as According to HIRA statistics, the number of macular degeneration patients increased by 11.9% over the past four years from 164,818 in 2017 to 367,463 in 2021, of which people in their 60s or older accounted for 84.3% of the total.
Professor Jeon Seung-hee of the Department of Ophthalmology at Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital of the Catholic University of Korea said, “Cataracts can be recovered with treatment, but the macula is made up of optic nerve cells, so once they die, they cannot be regenerated.” Not all patients lose their vision, and if detected early and treated before structural damage to the macular area occurs, vision is maintained at a level that does not interfere with daily life.“You can do it,” he said.
macular degeneration In the beginning, letters or straight lines appear curved and certain parts of the text are not visible when reading.appears. You can also check for abnormalities yourself. If you look at a piece of paper with many horizontal and vertical lines like a checkerboard with one eye or look at the numbers on a calendar once a week from a certain distance and they appear curved, it is an abnormal signal.It is important to see an ophthalmologist quickly.
Professor Seunghee Jeon said, “If you are in your 60s or older and have risk factors such as obesity, smoking, or a family history of macular degeneration, regular eye examinations are required even if you do not have clear symptoms.“He recommended, “Regularly consume green and yellow vegetables, blue-backed fish, and nuts rich in antioxidant vitamins, and quit smoking.”
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2023-09-29 22:30:00
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