Retinopathy is a noninflammatory disease of the retina, the thin membrane that lines the back of the eye and contains light-sensitive cells (photoreceptors). Light enters the eye and is focused onto the retina. The photoreceptors send a message to the brain via the optic nerve and the brain then "interprets" the electrical message sent to it, resulting in vision. The macula is a specific area of the retina responsible for central vision and the fovea is an tiny area about 1.5 mm located in the macula responsible for sharp vision. When looking at an object, the fovea should be directed right at it. Damage to the retina causes vision deficits and even blindness.

Retinopathy, or damage to the retina, has various causes. While each cause has its own specific effect on the retina, a general scenario for many of the retinopathies is as follows (note: not all retinopathies necessarily...