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La retina is the light sensitive tissue that transforms the images that come from the crystalline into electrical signals, which are sent to the brain by the optic nerve. In the center of the retina is the taint, one of the most important structures in the visual systemas it is responsible for central vision and the perception of details in images. That is why it is important to know what retinal dystrophies are.

Retinal dystrophies or retinal dystrophies are a group of inherited diseases that alter the external part of the retina, causing the death of photoreceptor cells and causing damage to the macula. In Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We explain what retinal dystrophies are and what is their treatment. 

retinal dystrophies

What are retinal dystrophies?

Retinal dystrophies are a group of hereditary diseases that significantly affect the retina of the eye, compromising its proper functioning and causing progressive loss of vision. Retinal dystrophies can damage different parts of this tissue and are usually present in both eyes. 

There are several types of retinal dystrophies, such as stargardt disease, retinitis pigmentosa and rod-cone dystrophy, which can cause cell death of the photoreceptor cells of the retina, the rods and cones. These cells make it possible to see colors, details, and peripheral and night vision.

Retinal dystrophies can affect only the macula or manifest initially in the macula and progress to the peripheral retina. They also cause loss of visual acuity that can appear from birth or during the first 20 years of life. 

Causes

Retinal dystrophies are genetic diseases that are caused by a chromosomal mutation. The inheritance can be:

  • Dominant inheritance: when they have affected all generations of the family. Carriers suffer from the pathology and it is transmitted to approximately 50% of descendants.
  • Recessive inheritance: there are some affected relatives in the same generation. There are family members who are carriers of a mutation who are healthy and relatives who are carriers of two mutations in the same gene who have the disease. 
  • Chromosome X: Only men in the family suffer from the disease and women can be carriers, transmitting it to their male children with a 50% probability. 

Symptom

Both the symptoms and the course of retinal dystrophies can vary depending on the type of dystrophy. The most common are: 

  • Loss of visual acuity, which hinders the ability to perceive details and perform tasks that require precision. 
  • Reduced campor visual, also known as tunnel vision or the appearance of blind spots called scotomas.
  • Night blindness, trouble seeing well at night and difficulty visually adjusting to dark places.
  • Sensitivity to light and glare in well-lit places. Flash vision and difficulty to adapt visually in very bright or bright places. 
  • Deformed vision of objects.
  • Alteration in color perception.

Transmission

The retina is a very difficult membrane to regenerate or replace, and it is for this reason that retinal dystrophies have no cure. Currently, a large number of research studies are being carried out that seek a treatment to make possible the cellular regeneration of the retina and, in this way, stop the loss of vision associated with retinal damage. 

We advise you to visit Área Oftalmológica Avanzada for you to perform a guaranteed ophthalmological examination. We have the best professionals for any type of review and treatment. We will wait for you!

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Retinal dystrophies
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Retinal dystrophies
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Retinal dystrophies are a group of inherited diseases that alter the external part of the retina, causing the death of photoreceptor cells and causing damage to the macula.
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Área Oftalmológica Avanzada
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