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Retina and diabetic eye care in Vasco, Goa

The retina is the thin, light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. It works like the sensor in a camera: it turns light into signals that the optic nerve carries to the brain. At its centre is the macula, the small area you use for reading, recognising faces and seeing fine detail. Many retina problems, including diabetic eye disease, give no warning at first, and by the time vision blurs, some damage may already be done. A retina check-up finds these problems early.

What retina care is done at ReNew Vision?

• Retina check-ups, with drops that widen the pupil so that the eye doctor can see the whole retina.
• Diabetic eye check-ups, to look for diabetic retinopathy and swelling of the macula.
• Eye checks for high blood pressure, which can damage the blood vessels of the retina.
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) care: diagnosis, regular check-ups, advice and low-vision aids.
• Diagnosis of retinal detachment, retinal tears and blocked retinal blood vessels, with urgent referral when treatment is needed.
• Continuing check-ups after you have had treatment at a retina centre.

What is not done here?

Retina laser, eye injections for retina disease and retina surgery, including surgery for retinal detachment, are not done at ReNew Vision. When you need one of these, the eye doctor explains why, refers you to a retina centre and tells you how urgent it is. Your routine check-ups can continue here afterwards.

Retina scans (such as OCT) and retina photographs are not done here either. The eye doctor examines the retina directly through the dilated pupil. If you need a scan, the eye doctor will tell you and explain the next step.

How is the retina checked?

1. Your vision is tested, one eye at a time.
2. Drops are put in to widen (dilate) the pupils. They take some time to work, so expect to wait.
3. The eye doctor looks at the retina, the macula, the optic nerve and the blood vessels with a bright light and special lenses. The light is dazzling for a moment but does not harm the eye.
4. The eye doctor explains what was seen, whether anything needs treatment or referral, and when to come back.

For a few hours after dilating drops, close-up vision is blurred and bright light is uncomfortable. Please do not drive or ride a two-wheeler home: bring someone with you, or plan a taxi or bus. Sunglasses help on the way home.

Diabetes and your eyes: why it matters so much in Goa

Goa has one of the highest rates of diabetes in India: the ICMR-INDIAB study (2023) found diabetes in 26.4% of adults, about one in four. A national survey of diabetic eye disease (2015-19) found diabetic retinopathy in nearly one in five people with diabetes aged 50 and above in North Goa. Most of them would not have noticed anything wrong with their sight.

Diabetes damages the small blood vessels of the retina. They leak fluid and blood, close off, and in later stages fragile new vessels grow that can bleed. Swelling of the macula (diabetic macular oedema) can blur central vision at any stage. Early treatment protects sight, which is why people with diabetes should have a diabetic eye check-up at least once a year, even when they see well. Read what a diabetic eye check-up includes and diabetic retinopathy: symptoms and stages.

Diabetes also brings cataract earlier; see cataract surgery for people with diabetes.

Can high blood pressure damage the eyes?

Yes. Long-standing high blood pressure narrows and hardens the small arteries of the retina (hypertensive retinopathy). It also raises the risk of a blocked vein or artery in the retina, which can cause sudden blurring or loss of vision in one eye, and it makes diabetic retinopathy worse. Mild changes often cause no symptoms. The eye doctor can see them during a retina check and will advise you to keep your blood pressure under control with your physician.

Very high blood pressure with headache and blurred vision is an emergency: go to the nearest hospital emergency department at once.

Macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula in people over about 50. It blurs or distorts central vision, so that straight lines look wavy or a dark patch appears in the middle of what you are looking at, while side vision stays. There are two main forms. Dry AMD is common and changes slowly. Wet AMD is less common but can damage central vision within weeks, and it is treated with eye injections, which must start promptly. At ReNew Vision, AMD care means diagnosis, regular check-ups, advice on home checks with an Amsler grid, and low-vision aids; if injections are needed, you are referred without delay. Read macular degeneration: check-ups and care. Reading aids and magnifiers are covered on low-vision aids.

What are the warning signs of a retinal detachment?

In a retinal detachment, the retina peels away from the back wall of the eye. It is an emergency, because the sooner it is repaired, the better the chance of saving sight. Come in the same day, at any hour, if you notice:

• a sudden shower of new floaters (dark spots, threads or cobwebs drifting across your vision)
• flashes of light, especially at the side of your vision
• a dark shadow or curtain moving across part of your vision
• sudden blurring of vision in one eye

The risk is higher in people with high short sight, after cataract or other eye surgery, after an eye injury, and in people who have had a detachment in the other eye or have one in the family. A retinal detachment is diagnosed at ReNew Vision and you are referred urgently for surgery, which is not done here. Emergency eye care is available 24 hours; see eye emergency. If you are far from Vasco, go to the nearest eye emergency service: do not delay treatment in order to travel.

Other retina problems seen here

• Floaters. Most floaters are harmless changes in the gel inside the eye that come with age or short sight. New or sudden floaters always need a check.
• Blocked retinal blood vessels. A blocked vein or artery can cause sudden loss of vision in one eye. A blocked artery is linked with stroke risk and needs urgent medical care.
• The retina in high short sight, which can have thin areas or small holes that need watching or treatment.
• Retina effects of some long-term medicines, such as some medicines for arthritis and lupus. If your doctor has asked for regular eye checks, keep them.
• Premature babies need eye screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), at a time advised by the baby's doctor; see children's eye care.

How often should I have a retina check-up?

• Diabetes: at least once a year, and more often if any retinopathy is found.
• High blood pressure: as the eye doctor advises, often every year.
• Macular degeneration, or a family history of it: as advised, with home checks between visits.
• High short sight: regular checks as advised.
• Everyone over 40: a complete eye check-up, which includes the retina; see eye check-up in Vasco.

How do I book a retina or diabetic eye check-up?

• Where: ReNew Vision Eye Hospital, 2nd floor, Pai Hospital building, Vaddem Merces Road, Vaddem, Vasco da Gama, Goa 403802. See timings and directions.
• When: Eye OPD Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm. Sunday OPD closed. Emergency eye care: 24 hours.
• Call or WhatsApp: 072489 88039.
• Bring: your spectacles, recent sugar and HbA1c reports, BP readings, a list of your medicines, any reports from a retina centre, and someone to take you home after dilating drops.

We can collect you from your home and drop you back, at zero cost to the patient. Ask about it when you call.

Retina and diabetic eye guides

Questions patients ask

Is retina laser or injection treatment done at ReNew Vision?

No. Retina laser, eye injections and retina surgery are not done here. ReNew Vision does the check-ups and diagnosis, explains what treatment is needed and how urgent it is, and refers you to a retina centre. Your check-ups can continue here afterwards.

How often should a person with diabetes have a retina check-up?

At least once a year, with dilating drops, even if you see well. If diabetic retinopathy is found, the eye doctor will ask you to come more often.

Why are my pupils dilated for a retina check-up?

Drops that widen the pupil let the eye doctor see the whole retina, not just the centre. They blur close vision and make light uncomfortable for a few hours, so do not drive home afterwards.

What are the warning signs of a retinal detachment?

A sudden shower of new floaters, flashes of light, a shadow or curtain across part of your vision, or sudden blurring in one eye. Come in the same day, at any hour. It is diagnosed here and referred urgently for surgery.

Can high blood pressure damage the eyes?

Yes. It can damage the small blood vessels of the retina, raise the risk of a blocked retinal vein or artery and make diabetic retinopathy worse. A retina check shows these changes; controlling your blood pressure with your physician protects your eyes.

This page is general eye-health information, not personal medical advice. Your eye doctor advises you after examining your eyes.