The retina is a vital part of the eye that plays a key role in vision. It is a thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye that contains light-sensitive cells called photoreceptors. When these cells detect light, they send signals to the brain that are interpreted as images. However, there are many retinal diseases that can affect the function of this critical tissue and impact a patient’s vision. In this patient education page, we will discuss some common retinal diseases and their symptoms, causes, and treatments.