Retinoschisis is an eye condition which affects the eye tissue. Specifically, the cells of the retina present in the macula are affected. Macula is the central fixation point of the vision which is found at the back of the eye. It is a form of macular degeneration. But it is not necessary that people who are diagnosed with macular degeneration will definitely have retinoschisis.
Retinoschisis generally affects two primary conditions of visions. The first condition is that the central vision can be seriously impaired. The visual acuity can range from 20/30 to less than as 20/200. Formation of tiny cysts in the retina causes loss in the vision acuity. This impaired visual acuity can’t be improved by wearing glasses because the cysts damage the nerve tissue.
The second condition is the loss of peripheral vision. This loss is seen due to separation of the inner layer of nerve cells from the outer layer of cells. If the anchoring of the outer cell layer to the eye wall is damaged, then retinal detachment may occur. Regular eye examinations with an eye doctor is highly important as patients suffering from retinoschisis are susceptible to retinal detachments.
Classification Of Retinoschisis
- Juvenile X-linked Retinoschisis: It is a type of genetic disease and primarily affects boys and young men. Retinoschisis affects one in 5,000-25,000 people. Affected boys and men should undergo periodic eye examination.
- Senile retinoschis: It is splitting ot the eye’s retina. It is the result of aging and it is not a genetic condition. This condition can affect both men and women.
Symptoms of Retinoschisis
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Decrease in vision
You should immediately consult your ophthalmologist for a complete examination if you experience any of the above symptoms.
