Retina
Retina is a light-sensitive layer of tissue, lining the inner surface of the eye. The optics of the eye create an image of the visual world on the retina (through the cornea and lens), which serves much the same function as the film in a camera. Light striking the retina initiates a cascade of chemical and electrical events that ultimately trigger nerve impulses. These are sent to various visual centres of the brain through the fibres of the optic nerve. The entire retina contains about 7 million cones and 75 to 150 million rods. The optic disc, a part of the retina sometimes called “the blind spot” because it lacks photoreceptors, is located at the optic papilla, a nasal zone where the optic-nerve fibres leave the eye.
Facilities available at JPM Rotary Eye Hospital
JPM Rotary Eye Hospital has a well equipped retina clinic that gives its patients the best treatment they deserve. The digital color photo facility to document a retinal condition and aid follow up is available using the Zeiss VisuPac FF450 plus fundus camera. Fundus Fluorescein angiography uses special cameras to photograph the retina. This test is very useful for locating the damage to the blood vessels that nourish the retina and, in turn, checking on the health of the retina itself.
In this test a colored dye is injected into the arm of the patient and photographs of the retina, where the dye reaches through the circulation are then clicked using the Zeiss VisuPac FF450 plus fundus camera.
Optical Coherence tomography is a non invasive scan of the retina. We have the Carl Zeiss Spectral Domain OCT that gives us a good quality scan of the retina helping us identify and monitor a patient’s condition.
We have the facility of an ultrasound B scan for patients who have a dense cataract or a bleed in their vitreous cavity that precludes examination of the retina Laser photocoagulation facility is available at JPM using the Zeiss VisuLas (frequency doubled Nd:YAG) laser for treatment of diabetic macular edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, retinopathy of prematurity, retinal holes and breaks and central serous retinopathy. The procedure is a painless outpatient one whereby a high intensity light beam is focused on the desired retinal area and a burn is produced. This coagulates leaky vessels or burns out ischemic or dead retina.
Intravitreal injections of Steroids (Intra-vitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide) and Anti-Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs including Avastin (Becacizumab) and Lucentis (Ranibizumab) are also available to patients whose clinical condition requires these.
Vitreo-retinal operation theatre has with facilities to repair retinal detachments through a scleral buckling procedure and a Constellation Vitrectomy machine to perform surgeries.