Retinopathy

Retinopathy is a general term that refers to some form of non-inflammatory damage to the retina of the eye. Most commonly it is the blood vessels that are the direct medium for the disease. Main causes of retinopathy are :

• diabetes - diabetic retinopathy
• arterial hypertension - hypertensive retinopathy
• prematurity of the newborn - retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
• sickle cell anemia
• direct sunlight exposure - solar retinopathy
• medicinal products - drug-related retinopathy
• retinal vein or artery occlusion

If retinopathy progresses and it is severe or if it affects primarily macula region of the retina, it can lead to blindness.

Retinopathy is diagnosed by a ophtamologist during a form of examination called fundus exam. Treatment depends on the cause of the disease.