The doctor likens the retina to an "internal screen" or "matrix" that displays images and transmits them to the brain via the optic nerve. During an examination, a qualified ophthalmologist can accurately determine the cause of vision impairment and detect early systemic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
He warned against ignoring certain visual symptoms, noting that occasional floaters may be normal, while a cluster of spots, a thick net, a sudden veil, or a flash of light are serious symptoms, as they may indicate a retinal tear or detachment, requiring immediate medical attention to avoid complications.
Other signs that should raise concern include distortion of straight lines, blurred vision, the appearance of a dark veil in the field of vision, or sudden fogging in one eye, as these can indicate damage to the central retina, age-related macular degeneration, blood vessel blockage, or retinal bleeding, especially in patients with diabetes and high blood pressure.
The doctor stressed that retinal examination in children is essential for the early detection of systemic and genetic diseases, as serious cases often remain hidden in children who do not complain of poor vision.
He explained that any sudden visual disturbance should not be ignored, and an ophthalmologist should be consulted immediately, and the problem should not be expected to disappear automatically, with special attention to be paid to patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, severe myopia, and people over the age of fifty.