The retina is the innermost layer of the eye. It receives images through the lens, and contains the receptors for vision, the rods and cones. This disorder covers retinal disorders with localized scar, atrophy, or irregularities of the retina, unilateral or bilateral that are centrally located and that result in an irregular, duplicated, enlarged, or diminished image.

Scars, atrophy, irregularities with image changes that are duplicated, enlarged or diminished may be caused by diseases of the macula (the center of the retina). Some of the macular diseases include: detachment of the retina (see diagnostic code: 6008 detachment of retina); infection; traumatic maculopathy; congenital macular dystrophies; retinal degenerations; retinopathy; retinal artery aneurysms; retinal artery occlusions; or retinitis pigmentosa.

Some of the symptoms manifested in retinal disorders include: micropsia; blindness; central vision loss; blurred vision; decrease in color sensitivity; night blindness; and sudden, painless loss of vision.

Tests that may be used include: visual fields; visual acuity; ophthalmoscopy; slit lamp examination; fluorescein angiography; and fundus photography.

Treatments will vary according to the disease condition. The treatments may include: laser photocoagulation; surgical vitrectomy; topical or local anti-inflammatory therapy; local or systemic corticosteroid therapy; scleral buckling; diathermy; cryotherapy; pneumatic retinopexy; management of systemic diseases; and removal of malignant retinal tumors.

Retinal disorders may produce irreversible loss of vision depending on the pathologic event.

• Consider entitlement to Auto and auto adaptive equipment under 38 CFR 3.308 if there is permanent impairment of vision in both eyes consisting of central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, with corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20° in the better eye.

• Consider entitlement to specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C. 2101(a)(2)(A)(i) if there is visual impairment to the degree specified in 38 CFR 3.809(b)(2).

• Review for potential entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR 3.350 when there is loss/loss of use of one or both eyes, light perception only; visual acuity 5/200 or less; the vision field is reduced to 5 degree concentric contraction in both eyes; or blindness with no light perception in one or both eye.

• Evaluate on the basis of either visual impairment due to the particular condition or on incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation.

• For the purposes of evaluation under 38 CFR 4.79, an incapacitating episode is an eye condition severe enough to require a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment purposes.

• Examples of treatment may include but are not limited to: Systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents; intravitreal or periocular injections; laser treatments; or other surgical interventions.

• For the purposes of evaluating visual impairment due to the particular condition, refer to 38 CFR 4.75, 38 CFR 4.76, 38 CFR 4.77, 38 CFR 4.78,  and  38 CFR 4.79, diagnostic codes 6061-6091.

• Alternatively, evaluate based on the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, if this would result in a higher evaluation.