Dr . Usman Mahmood

The retina, a crucial layer of tissue at the back of the eye, is vital for capturing images and sending them to the brain. It can be affected by various conditions, including diabetic eye diseases, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal detachment.

What is Uveitis?

Uveitis refers to inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. This layer plays a vital role in supplying blood to the eye. Uveitis can affect people of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults and may present with a range of symptoms depending on the underlying cause.

Although uveitis is not very common, it accounts for an estimated 10–15% of blindness cases, making early diagnosis and careful management essential. With timely and appropriate treatment, many individuals with uveitis can maintain good vision. Due to its complexity, uveitis is best managed by an ophthalmologist with expertise in ocular inflammatory diseases.

At Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai or Abu Dhabi, our specialists in ocular inflammatory conditions provide expert care for individuals with uveitis. Through a detailed assessment of your eye health, medical history, and systemic risk factors, we will recommend a tailored treatment plan to manage inflammation effectively and protect your long-term vision.

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What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of long-term uncontrolled diabetes resulting from persistently high blood sugar levels over the years. This condition affects the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, impairing its ability to transmit clear images to the brain through the optic nerve.

How does the condition develop?

The retina relies on a network of blood vessels to supply essential oxygen and nutrients. Over time, consistently elevated blood sugar levels can damage these vessels, causing them to bleed, leak, or become blocked. This damage may lead to various forms of retinal impairment, including developing new, fragile blood vessels that can burst, resulting in blurred or lost vision. When the central area of the retina, known as the macula, is affected, the condition is known as Diabetic Maculopathy, a sign of more advanced disease. The risk of retinal damage increases significantly when high blood pressure is also present.

About Retinal Detachment Surgery

Retinal detachment is a condition when the thin lining at the back of the eye (the retina) begins to come away and separate itself from the underlying wall of the eye which contains blood vessels that supply it with vital oxygen and nutrients.

If not treated promptly, retinal detachment will lead to blindness in the affected eye.

A retinal detachment is usually caused by a tear in the retina and this is termed a Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. There are other types of retinal detachment namely Traction retinal detachment which is usually seen in advanced diabetic retinopathy and Exudative retinal detachment (usually seen in people with inflammation). It is the Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment which needs urgent surgery in most cases.

About Retinal Vein Occlusion

Blocking of the retinal vein which reduces the vision is known as Retinal Vein Occlusion. This results in the accumulation of blood (retinal hemorrhages) and fluid (macular edema) in the retina and leads to a drop in the visual acuity (clarity of vision).

About Macular Hole Surgery

If you think of your eye as a camera, the retina is like the photographic film. It is a very thin layer of tissue, which is sensitive to the image focused on it, sending the information to the brain.

At the very centre of the retina is the macula. This is a very special area of the retina, which we use for reading and recognising complex shapes. Sometimes, a hole forms in the macula, which prevents it from working normally.  This affects your vision, particularly for reading and other visually demanding tasks, but it does not cause total blindness.