What is the retina?
The retina is a thin structure in the back of the eye that contains the cells responsible for vision. These cells detect light and shadows and send signals to the brain via the optic nerve to create a recognizable image.
How will I know if my pet has a retinal issue?
Since the retina is necessary for vision, retinal problems most often manifest as either partial or complete visual deficit. The most common signs are bumping into walls and furniture, inability to fetch toys, and being easily startled. Sometimes visual problems are noted only in certain lighting conditions (i.e. light vs. dark or day vs night). In animals with only partial vision loss or in those that become blind in only one eye, it is much more difficult to detect a problem at home because animals can compensate extremely well.
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What is uveitis or intraocular inflammation?
Uveitis is the term used for inflammation of the uveal tract of the eye (the iris, ciliary body, and choroid). In order to understand uveitis, it helps to first understand the basic anatomy of the eye. The eye is made up of three primary layers of tissue. The outer layer enclosing the eye is made up of the cornea (the clear part at the front of the eye) and the sclera (the white of the eye). The inner layer is the retina, which primarily consists of nerve tissue. The middle layer is called the uveal tract, and it is rich in blood vessels, which makes it very susceptible to diseases present in other parts of the body. The uveal tract is composed of the iris (the colored part of the eye), the ciliary body (a structure which produces the fluid inside the eye), and the choroid, which nourishes the retina in the back of the eye.
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