Is the Retina Important?
The retina is responsible for only one thing-but it is a super important one. The retina plays the vital role of converting light that enters the eye into electronic signals for the brain to process and interpret the images that you see. It is important to schedule regular comprehensive eye exams that also include retinal imaging to ensure not just clear vision but your overall eye health and the specific health of your retina as well. Retinal imaging at Associated Retina Consultants involves taking high-resolution images of the inside of your eye to assess the retina and determine any underlying eye or health conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cancer, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and retinal detachment.
Impressively, the retina, located at the back of the eye, is composed of two 2 different kinds of light receptor cells known as rods and cones. There are nearly 125 million rods in the retina to help you with both movement perception and peripheral vision. The center of the retina contains about 6-7 million cones that contribute to your central vision. These cones are also responsible for allowing you to see both color and fine detail. Have you seen those social media challenges where it seems like 50% of people see one color and the other 50% see a completely different color? Years ago, there was debate on whether a dress was white and gold or blue and black; the retina, or more specifically the number of cones in the retina, was the reason why people saw the dress as completely different colors (for curiosity’s sake, people who had fewer cones saw white/gold and those with more cones saw black/blue).
A healthy retina can be attributed to lifestyle and eating habits, but genetics also affect the likelihood of developing any eye conditions that may impact the retina. The best ways to improve your ocular health include quitting smoking, wearing UV blocking sunglasses or protective eyewear, limiting long-term exposure to computer screens, and supplement your diet with vitamins, leafy greens, fatty fish, citrus fruits, nuts, and nutrients such as zeaxanthin, lutein, vitamin E, Vitamin C, and zinc.
To schedule your next appointment with Associated Retina Consultants, call 602-242-4928 or book easily online at WEBSITE. Be sure to request retinal imaging as part of your comprehensive eye exam for early detection.