Glasses to Help Retinal Problems: Truths and Myths
What's up, guys? This is Mário Bulla, from the Retina e Vítreo channel, the most complete space on retina on YouTube. Today, we're going to tackle a very common topic: are there any glasses that can help people with retinal problems? The answer to this question may be more complex than it seems.
#### The Function of Glasses
First of all, it's essential to understand the main function of glasses. They are designed to correct refractive problems such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia. These problems occur when light does not focus correctly on the retina, resulting in blurred vision. Glasses help redirect the light, allowing for clearer vision.
Myopia:** When the eye is slightly larger and the image forms before the retina, causing blurred vision at a distance.
Hyperopia:** When the eye is smaller and the image forms after the retina, resulting in blurred vision up close.
Astigmatism:** A refractive error where the irregular curvature of the cornea causes blurred or distorted vision.
Presbyopia:** The loss of the ability to focus on close objects, common with ageing.
#### Retinal Problems and the Limitation of Glasses
However, when it comes to retinal problems such as macular edema, macular degeneration, retinal detachment or glaucoma, glasses are not the solution. This is because these conditions affect the structure of the eye, and cannot be corrected simply by adjusting the light path with lenses.
Macular edema: This is a swelling in the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision.
Macular Degeneration:** A condition that affects the macula, leading to gradual loss of central vision.
Retinal Detachment:** When the retina separates from the back of the eye, causing loss of vision.
Glaucoma:** A disease that damages the optic nerve, often associated with increased intraocular pressure.
For these conditions, specific treatments are required. For example, macular edema can be treated with intravitreal injections of anti-angiogenic drugs. Macular degeneration may also require injections, in addition to other therapies. Retinal detachment often requires surgery, and glaucoma can be controlled with medication or surgery to reduce intraocular pressure.
#### Low Vision Glasses
There is an important exception when it comes to glasses for retinal problems: low vision glasses. These devices are designed to magnify the image that reaches the retina, helping those with severely reduced vision due to diseases such as macular edema or macular degeneration.
Low vision glasses use special lenses to magnify the image, but they have their limitations. For example, for distance vision, you can use a telescope, but this greatly restricts the field of vision and is only useful in specific situations such as watching TV.
For near vision, magnifying glasses or glasses with a higher degree of magnification can enlarge the image, partially compensating for the loss of vision caused by retinal problems.
#### Conclusion
In summary, while glasses are extremely effective for correcting refractive problems, they are not a solution for diseases that affect the structure of the eye, such as retinal problems. Treatment for these conditions should be guided by an ophthalmologist, who can recommend specific interventions according to the patient's needs.
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This video and its comments are not a substitute for a doctor's consultation and are for educational purposes only. They should not be used to make decisions, for which a face-to-face consultation with a specialist doctor is necessary.
Author:
Dr. Mário César Bulla
Cremers 28120
Ophthalmologist - Retinologist
www.clinicabulla.com.br
www.especialistaemretina.com.br
Instagram: @retina.bulla
Video URL: • Óculos para melhorar a retina??
@Retina e Vítreo
#retina
#ophthalmology
0:00 Glasses to help those with retinal problems.
0:50 Do glasses solve retinal problems?
1:35 Eye diseases and glasses.
2:20 What are glasses for?
