Back of the Eye MD, Saralyn Notaro Rietz
Medical Definitions
 
Retina Related Medical Definitions

Some definitions of common retinal conditions
Click on any of the medical definitions below
Back of the EyeBranch Retinal Artery Occlusion Branch Retinal Vein OcclusionCentral Retinal Artery Occlusion Central Retinal Vein OcclusionDiabetic RetinopathyEpiretinal Membrane or Macular PuckerMaculaMacular Cyst
Macular EdemaMacular HoleOptic Nerve RetinaRetinal TearRetinal DetachmentRetinal TearVitreous Vitreous Hemorrhage
Back of the EyeThe back of the eye is the part of the eye that one can't see when looking at a person's face.
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Branch Retinal Artery OcclusionThis is a blockage in a single branch of the main (or central) retinal artery.
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Branch Retinal Vein OcclusionThis is a blockage in a branch of the main (or central) retinal vein.
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Central Retinal Artery OcclusionThis is a "blockage" in the main artery that is responsible for carrying blood to the retina. It can be thought of as a stroke to the retina and often results in irreversible visual loss.
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Central Retinal Vein OcclusionThink of this as a "blockage" in the main vein that ordinarily drains blood from the retina. It can be low grade and cause little change in vision, or very pronounced so as to cause severe visual loss. Normally, hemorrhage and fluid are seen in the back of the eye.
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Diabetic RetinopathyThis is a broad term which includes any and all of the abnormalities seen in patients with diabetic eye disease. Some examples include retinal hemorrhages, retinal fluid or edema, vitreous hemorrhages, retinal detachments.
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Epiretinal Membrane or Macular PuckerThis refers to a layer of fine scar tissue which lays itself down on the macular (center of the retina) surface. It generally occurs with aging, but can also be seen as a consequence of many disease states. It may be mild and cause no symptoms, or it may be more advanced and cause distortion or blurring of vision.
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MaculaThe macula is the center part of the retina. It is responsible for our reading vision.
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Macular CystA cyst is a bubble of fluid that collects in the center of the macula. This can be seen as a result of many disease states (for example, diabetes), or can occur following some ocular surgical procedures.
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Macular EdemaThis is fluid in the center of the retina.  It can arise from a variety of disease states.
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Macular HoleThis is literally a hole in the center of the macula. It occurs more commonly with advancing age, as a result of tractional forces that the vitreous jelly exerts on the center of the retina.
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Optic NerveThe optic nerve is the structure which connects the eyeball to the brain.
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RetinaThe retina is the largest component of the back of the eye.
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Retinal TearA retinal tear is a "rip"in the retina. Is is generally preceded by a posterior vitreous detachment.
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Retinal DetachmentThis is a separation of the retina from the back wall of the eye. It is most commonly preceded by a rip in the retina, but detachments can occur from other causes as well. Patients often notice opaque shadows where the retina is detached. Surgical procedures are generally required for repair.
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VitreousThe vitreous is the jelly that fills the back of the eye.
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Vitreous HemorrageThis is blood within the vitreous jelly. It fills the cavity of the back of the eye. There are many possible causes of vitreous hemorrhage.
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