What problems can be discovered through neglected fundus examination?

Why do ophthalmologists attach so much importance to fundus examination?

Today, I will take you to learn about

What common eye diseases can be detected by fundus examination?

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common retinal vascular disease and one of the main causes of blindness in people over 50 years old. It has no obvious symptoms in the early stage, but vision loss and even blindness in the later stage. Its severity has nothing to do with age, but is closely related to the course of diabetes. As the duration of diabetes increases, the incidence of DR increases.

Prevention of diabetic retinopathy:

(1) Strictly control blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids;

(2) Perform fundus examination regularly, at least once a year;

(3) Provide appropriate treatment based on the stage of diabetic retinopathy.

Hypertensive retinopathy

Hypertensive retinopathy refers to the long-term or rapid increase in blood pressure that causes sclerosis of retinal blood vessels, followed by bleeding, hard exudates, and even papilledema. There are no symptoms in the early stages, but vision loss gradually occurs, and in severe cases, blindness may occur.

Generally speaking, 70% of patients with hypertension will have fundus lesions, that is, complicated by hypertensive retinopathy. Fundus lesions are related to age, the degree of blood pressure increase, and the duration of the disease. The older the age and the longer the disease course, the higher the incidence of fundus lesions and the more serious the condition.

Central retinal vein occlusion

Central retinal vein thrombosis is a common disease that can lead to blindness and is the second most common retinal vascular disease after diabetic retinopathy. Patients with this disease often present with acute or subacute vision loss of varying degrees, usually without pain, and the common cause is thrombosis.

As you age, the likelihood of developing central retinal vein occlusion increases. Patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes have a higher chance of developing central retinal vein occlusion, and the incidence of the disease tends to increase year by year and to be younger. If you notice a change in your vision, you should consult an ophthalmologist for a detailed examination.

Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration refers specifically to age-related changes that occur in the central area of ​​the retina (macula) in people over 50 years old. These changes include atrophy of retinal pigment epithelial cells, choroidal neovascularization, hemorrhage, exudation, etc., which ultimately lead to a decline in the patient's visual function.

Common clinical manifestations: decreased vision, decreased visual acuity, blurred vision; central dark spot in visual field examination; abnormal color vision, decreased ability to distinguish colors, such as seeing red and green colors differently than before, or there is a difference between the left and right eyes; seeing things deformed or distorted, etc.

Wu Jianhua, chief physician, associate professor, master's tutor, deputy director of the Hubei Provincial Medical Association's Ophthalmology Branch, deputy leader of the Fundus Diseases Group of the Hubei Medical Association's Ophthalmology Branch, director of the Fundus Diseases Department, and president of the Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University (Aier Eye Hospital Group Hubei General Hospital), reminds: Patients with risk factors are advised to have an eye examination at least once a year. Especially for common eye diseases in the elderly, "early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment" should be used. If suspicious symptoms occur, go to an ophthalmology hospital as soon as possible for exclusion examinations.