Retinopathy is a general term that refers to some form of non-inflammatory damage to the retina of the eye. Most commonly it is the blood vessels that are the direct medium for the disease. Main causes of retinopathy are :
- diabetes - diabetic retinopathy
- arterial hypertension - hypertensive retinopathy
- prematurity of the newborn - retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
- sickle cell anemia
- direct sunlight exposure - solar retinopathy
- medicinal products - drug-related retinopathy
- retinal vein or artery occlusion
Retinopathy is diagnosed by a ophtamologist during a form of examination called fundus exam. Treatment depends on the cause of the disease.