Identifying the Causes behind Blindness

For many people, vision is a gift that is, too often, taken for granted. It is not until we begin to lose our eyesight that we truly realize how precious a gift it is. While most people associate vision loss with the process of aging, there are many other conditions and diseases that might also attribute to the onset of blindness. 

Cataracts 

One condition that affects vision is cataracts. With cataracts, there is a clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes, and can’t spread from one to the other. Cataracts are very common in older individuals. More than 22 million Americans have already been diagnosed with cataracts. Early cases can be treated and vision can usually be saved, but if cataracts progress too far they may lead to partial or complete blindness. Common symptoms of this condition include: 

• Blurry vision
• Faded colors
• Glare
• Not being able to see well at night
• Double vision
• Numerous changes in your eyewear prescription 

Glaucoma 

Glaucoma is a serious condition that damages the optic nerve of the eye. It is also a leading cause of many cases of blindness throughout populations from around the world. The fluid pressure within the eye itself slowly rises, damaging the optic nerve, causing vision impairment that worsens as the pressure builds. Often, there are no symptoms at first, but routine eye exams can usually detect the warning signs. It is thought that about 2.3 million Americans have glaucoma and just as many have the disease but don't know it. There is no cure for glaucoma, but if it is caught early, it can be treated with prescription medication or surgery. 

Macular Degeneration 

Macular degeneration is most common in people over the age of 60. It is a disease that steals away the sharp clear focus the eyes need to be able to see depth, details, and colors. This type of damage affects the ability to read, drive, recognize faces at a distance, watch television, work on a computer, and do other normal tasks. Sometimes Macular Degeneration can occur slowly, over time, where symptoms build so gradually they are not easily noticed. In other cases, it can come on so fast the vision impairment is immediately seen and felt. 

Diabetic Retinopathy 

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that impacts the ability of the eyes to function properly and is a side effect of diabetes. It affects the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue located in the back of the eye. Diabetic Retinopathy causes blindness in many adults in the U.S., eventually causing close to half of those diagnosed to lose their eyesight. It is for this reason that people who are diagnosed with any type of diabetes, or those who are at a high risk for it, are advised to get a complete eye exam at least once a year. 

Head Injury 

Sometimes, traumatic head injuries can cause blindness. Depending on where the head injury is located and the severity, the blindness may be temporary or permanent. Swelling and bruising of the brain, where the vision centers are located, may cause temporary blindness until the swelling in the brain subsides. If severe trauma has occurred the blindness might be permanent. 

Direct Eye Injury 

Injury to the eye itself can also lead to vision problems or blindness. Foreign objects in the eye can damage nerves and pathways, burns can kill cells, and getting chemicals in the eyes may also destroy the sensitive tissue and cause blindness. Usually, injuries of this sort result in permanent vision loss; however, in some cases--if medical attention is sought quickly enough--some vision may be retained. 

Vision is the greatest gift we have been given, and far too many never appreciate it until it is gone. From common issues, such as nearsightedness, to serious issues, such as Diabetic Retinopathy, vision can be affected by many different things. Sometimes the fixes are easy.  For instance, you might cure nearsightedness naturally or with glasses, but traumatic brain injury may result in a permanent loss of sight. The things you today can shave years off your eyesight--whether it occurs down the road, or in the very near future. It is important to get eye exams often and to take the best possible care of your vision.