Retina Health Information and Fact Sheets
Learn About Retinal Diseases
The ASRS Foundation’s Retina Health Series offers a collection of webpages with understandable facts about causes, symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic testing, treatment, and prognoses of an array of retinal conditions. Each webpage also offers a printable PDF fact sheet for your convenience.
Check out the series by selecting from the Retinal Diseases dropdown menu on the right side of this page.
How to Get Copies of the Fact Sheets
ASRS members who would like to order larger quantities for distribution to patients are invited to use the button below to visit our fact sheet marketplace. Other organizations wishing to order quantities of fact sheets should email email@example.com for further information.
Understanding Retina Health
A healthy retina is necessary for good vision. The eye is composed of light-sensitive cells connected with nerve fibers that allow light entering the eye to be converted to nerve impulses that reach the brain. The amount of light entering is controlled by the iris and is then passed to the retina. The retina is a thin membranous lining at the back of the eye.
It is this light-sensitive nerve tissue that controls how images are viewed. The images are focused here and converted to electrical impulses which are carried to the brain by the optic nerve.
Diseases and conditions of the retina
To examine the retina, an ophthalmologist will dilate, or widen, your eyes during a comprehensive examination using eye drops. A retina specialist then uses a special magnifying lens to exam your retina. The dilation will reverse after several hours.