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A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): A.D.A.M.; 2013.
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia.
The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye. It acts like the film in a camera -- images come through the eye's lens and are focused on the retina. The retina then converts these images to electric signals and sends them via the optic nerve to the brain.
The retina is normally red due to its rich blood supply. An ophthalmoscope allows a health care provider to see through your pupil and lens to the retina. If the provider sees any changes in the color or appearance of the retina, it may indicate a disease.
Anyone who experiences changes in sharpness or color perception, flashes of lights, floaters, or distortion in vision should get a retinal examination.
References
- Fay A. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 449.
- Schubert HD. Structure and function of the neural retina. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 6.1.
Review Date: 5/22/2011.
Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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Corticosteroids for toxoplasma infestation in the eye
Infestation with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite, occurs in different body tissues including the eye. It occurs in people throughout the world. The main animal that hosts the organism is the cat, but its principal source is unknown. The parasite is transmitted through ingestion of under‐cooked meat and food or drinking water contaminated with cat feces. The disease in the eye has a wide spectrum of presentation, ranging from no symptoms to severe visual impairment. The usual mode of treatment involves administration of anti‐parasitic agents. Sometimes corticosteroids are used to supplement anti‐parasitic agents with the goal of decreasing the intensity of tissue damage. In this review, we examined evidence on whether using corticosteroids in addition to anti‐parasitic agents is more effective than anti‐parasitic agents alone.
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- RetinaRetinaPubMed Health
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