Choroidal Effusion/Detachment Emergency An accumulation of fluid in the suprachoroidal space (between the choroid and the sclera). This can happen spontaneously but is most often a complication of eye surgery. A large effusion can cause the choroid to detach, leading to severe vision loss and pain.
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Idiopathic Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (IPCV) Serious A condition characterized by abnormal, branching networks of blood vessels with grape-like (polypoidal) tips in the choroid. It is a variant of wet AMD and can cause sudden vision loss due to bleeding or fluid leakage under the retina.
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Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysm Serious A focal outpouching or swelling of a retinal artery. These can leak fluid or blood into the retina, causing macular edema or hemorrhage, which can affect vision. They are most common in older women with high blood pressure.
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Macular Hole Serious A small, full-thickness defect in the center of the retina (the macula). It is usually caused by age-related vitreous traction on the macula. It causes a blind spot or distortion in the central vision.
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Epiretinal Membrane (Macular Pucker) Moderate A thin, scar-like tissue that forms over the surface of the macula. As this membrane contracts, it can cause the retina to wrinkle or 'pucker,' leading to distorted and blurred central vision.
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Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) Serious A group of inherited genetic disorders that affect the retina's ability to respond to light. It causes a slow but progressive loss of vision, starting with night blindness and loss of peripheral vision, eventually leading to 'tunnel vision' and sometimes total blindness.
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Inherited Chorioretinal Dystrophies Serious A broad category of genetic diseases that cause progressive degeneration of the retina and/or choroid. This group includes conditions like choroideremia, gyrate atrophy, and various pattern dystrophies, each with unique features and inheritance patterns.
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Cone Dystrophies Serious A group of inherited retinal disorders that affect the cone cells, which are responsible for central and color vision. This leads to a progressive decline in visual acuity, severe light sensitivity, and loss of color vision.
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Stargardt Disease (Fundus Flavimaculatus) Serious The most common form of inherited juvenile macular degeneration. It's an autosomal recessive condition that causes progressive central vision loss from the death of photoreceptor cells in the macula. It typically starts in childhood or adolescence.
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Best Disease (Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy) Serious An inherited retinal dystrophy characterized by the formation of a yellow, egg yolk-like lesion in the macula. While vision can be good for many years, it can eventually lead to central vision loss when the lesion breaks up or if choroidal neovascularization develops.
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Chloroquine / Hydroxychloroquine Toxicity Serious Retinal damage that can occur from long-term use of the medications chloroquine (Aralen) and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), which are used to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The toxicity can cause irreversible central vision loss.
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Crystalline Retinopathy Moderate A condition characterized by the presence of small, shiny, refractile deposits within the retina. This can be caused by certain medications (e.g., tamoxifen, canthaxanthin), metabolic diseases (e.g., Bietti's crystalline dystrophy), or be idiopathic.
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Optic Pit Serious A congenital defect of the optic nerve head, appearing as a small, gray-white depression. While often stable, optic pits are associated with a risk of fluid from the vitreous cavity seeping under the retina, causing a serous macular detachment.
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Solar Retinopathy Moderate Damage to the retina, particularly the macula, from looking directly at the sun (sun gazing). This photochemical damage can cause a permanent small blind spot in the central vision.
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Choroidal Nevus Mild A choroidal nevus is a common, benign, pigmented lesion in the choroid, similar to a mole on the skin. While most are harmless, there is a very small risk that they can transform into a malignant melanoma.
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Malignant Melanoma of the Choroid Emergency The most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. It is a cancerous tumor arising from the pigment cells (melanocytes) of the choroid. It can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, most commonly the liver.
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Nonexudative (Dry) Age-Related Macular Degeneration Serious The most common form of AMD, characterized by the presence of drusen (yellow deposits) under the retina and thinning of the macula (atrophy). It leads to a slow, progressive decline in central vision.
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Macular Degeneration Serious Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in people over 50. It damages the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. There are two main types: Dry AMD (more common, slower progression) and Wet AMD (less common, but more severe and rapid).
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Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Emergency Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO) is a blockage of the main artery supplying the retina, often described as an 'eye stroke'. It causes sudden, painless vision loss.
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Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Serious Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) is a blockage of the main vein draining the retina. It causes hemorrhages and swelling in the retina, leading to vision loss.
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Diabetic Retinopathy Moderate Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina. It is a leading cause of blindness but is treatable if caught early.
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Retinal Detachment Emergency A retinal detachment occurs when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye. It is a medical emergency that requires surgery to prevent permanent blindness.
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Vitreous Hemorrhage Serious Vitreous hemorrhage is bleeding into the vitreous gel that fills the eye. It can be caused by diabetic retinopathy, trauma, or retinal tears.
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Cystoid Macular Edema Moderate Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) is swelling of the macula, the central part of the retina. It often occurs after eye surgery or due to inflammation.
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Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Moderate Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a condition where fluid accumulates under the retina, causing a detachment. It is often associated with stress or steroid use.
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Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion Serious Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) is a blockage of a smaller branch vein in the retina. It affects a specific sector of vision.
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Epiretinal Membrane Moderate An epiretinal membrane (ERM), or macular pucker, is a thin layer of scar tissue that forms over the macula. It can cause distorted vision.
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Macular Hole Serious A macular hole is a small break in the macula, the center of the retina. It causes a blind spot in central vision and requires surgical repair.
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Ocular Ischemic Syndrome Serious Ocular Ischemic Syndrome (OIS) is caused by poor blood flow to the eye, usually due to a blocked carotid artery. It can cause vision loss and eye pain.
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Posterior Vitreous Detachment Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Retinal Break Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Retinoschisis Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Cotton –Wool Spot Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Hypertensive Retinopathy Moderate Damage to the retina, often caused by systemic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, which can lead to vision loss.
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Ocular Ischemic Syndrome/Carotid Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Central Serous Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Nonexudative (Dry) Age-Related Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Neovascular or Exudative (Wet) Age- Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Idiopathic Polypoidal Choroidal Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Sickle Cell Disease (Including Sickle Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Valsalva Retinopathy Moderate Damage to the retina, often caused by systemic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, which can lead to vision loss.
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High Myopia Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Angioid Streaks Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Ocular Histoplasmosis Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Epiretinal Membrane (Macular Pucker, Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Choroidal Effusion/ Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Retinitis Pigmentosa and Inherited Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Stargardt Disease (Fundus Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Best Disease (Vitelliform Macular Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Chloroquine/Hydroxychloroquine Moderate A condition affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Choroidal Nevus and Malignant Moderate Abnormal growth of tissue in or around the eye. Can be benign or malignant.
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