Is Your Retina Spotty?

Ever heard of drusen?

It’s not a new type of breakfast cereal or pop band!

Drusen spots are tiny deposits that can form on your retina—think of them as your eye’s way of hoarding a little extra “stuff” over the years.

Now, before you panic: drusen are often harmless. But, like that “junk drawer” in your kitchen, some spots can signal it’s time for a little extra attention.

Drusen 101: What You Need to Know

• Hard Drusen: Small and mostly harmless.

• Soft Drusen: Bigger and a bit more unruly—these might mean your macula (the sharp-seeing part of your eye) is feeling overwhelmed.

• Reticular Drusen: These like to party near your macula and might bring along age-related macular degeneration (AMD, a common cause of vision problem) as a plus-one.

Why Do Drusen Show Up?

They’re kind of like wrinkles—natural changes, but they can show up faster with the wrong lifestyle choices. Smoking, poor diet, or a lack of exercise are like rolling out the red carpet for drusen.

The good news? Your lifestyle choices can also send them packing—or at least keep them in check.

How Can You Spot the Spots?

One thing for sure - you can’t see them in the mirror! That’s why regular eye exams are crucial. With our high-tech imaging tools, we can give your retina the VIP treatment, ensuring no drusen go unnoticed.

Ideally if there is drusen, I recommend a yearly eye test, to monitor these cheeky little fellas.

Drusen spots are about the size of a grain of sand – so yes, very tiny, and that is why I have a special scan that detects them and can measure them each year to make sure they are not getting bigger – as this increases the risk of vision problems.

Protecting Your Eyes

Here’s the recipe for happy retinas:
🥗 Eat your greens (our parents were right all along).
😎 Wear UV-blocking sunglasses (your retinas love shade).
🏃‍♂️ Get moving—exercise keeps the blood flowing, even to your eyes.
🛑 Quit smoking—it’s not doing your eyes any favours.

So, Is Your Retina Spot-Free?
If you’re not sure—or if it’s been a while since we last had a peek—why not book an appointment? We’ll check for drusen, AMD, and anything else your eyes might be hiding.

Click here to book your exam: and keep on top of your eye health this year.