Retinopathy is a general term used to
refer to any of several disorders of the retina
(of the eye),
many of which can lead to reduced quality of vision (or, in extreme cases,
complete loss of vision i.e. blindness).
Retinopathy may be due to damage to the blood
vessels of the retina such as may be caused by complications of:
- Diabetes
(in which case the condition may be called diabetic retinopathy),
- High blood pressure, or
- AIDS (in which case the condition may be called AIDS retinopathy).
Depending on the circumstances, retinopathy may be treated
using a tiny beams of a particular type of laser to destroy damaged parts
of the retina, preventing growth of new abnormal blood vessels, and hence
any further damage to vision.
More about Ophthalmology: This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include the diagram
of the eye, and definitions
of parts of the eye, a description
of the human retina, and definitions
of parts of the retina, and the section of short definitions
of clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system.
For further information see also our section of Books
about Ophthalmology. |
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This Section
is about
Diseases
and Disorders of the Eyes and Visual System.
To read about other diseases, disorders, or conditions of the eye and
human visual system, use the links on the left-side of this page.
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