Eye Diseases That Cause Blindness
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Blindness ranges from being unable to see objects clearly to having no sight at all. There are many Eye diseases that cause blindness. Losing sight is a common fear, because vision lets us see the world, other people and ourselves.
Total blindness is called "no light perception." It means a person cannot tell light from dark, even when a bright light is shined into their eyes. This is uncommon, and most people with vision loss still have some sight. Government programs and nonprofit foundations offer support for people with low vision or blindness.
Lots of eye diseases have no symptoms early on. Some are painless, and you don't notice any change in your vision until the disease is advanced. That's why regular eye exams, including a dilated eye exam, are the best way to protect your sight. If your vision changes, your eye doctor can check for disease and prescribe corrective lenses when needed.
Serious Eye Symptoms to Watch for Blindness
Some eye symptoms need prompt or emergency medical attention, because they can be signs of a condition that threatens your sight. Don't ignore them, since some vision loss can't be reversed. See an eye doctor right away if you have:
- New flashes of light, floaters or a gray shadow in your vision
- A red, painful eye
- Eye pain or discomfort when you wear contact lenses
- Eye pain
- Sudden blurring of vision
- Sudden loss of vision in one eye
- Persistent eye discomfort
- Eye pain with headache, nausea or halos around lights
Eye Diseases That Cause Blindness
Vision loss can be sudden, but it is usually gradual. Some eye diseases damage the optic nerve or the retina over time. Many can be treated or slowed if they are found early, but some damage, such as from glaucoma or macular degeneration, can't be undone.
Some eye conditions are present from birth or inherited, and others develop later in life. Here are some conditions that can cause vision loss or blindness if they are not diagnosed and treated.
1- Cataract
A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye. Most cataracts are related to aging. The clouding blocks light from reaching the retina, making vision cloudy or blurry. Left untreated, a dense cataract can lead to blindness.
Cataract surgery replaces the cloudy lens with a clear artificial one. It is safe, common and usually restores clear vision.
2- Amblyopia
Amblyopia, or "lazy eye," is vision loss that starts in childhood when the brain and one eye don't work together properly. It usually affects one eye, and it is the most common cause of vision loss in children.
Early treatment works well. Options include glasses, and patching the stronger eye or using special eye drops to make the brain use the weaker eye. Without treatment, the vision loss can become permanent.
3- Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye disease that blurs central vision. Central vision is what you see when you look straight ahead, while peripheral vision is what you see off to the side.
AMD doesn't cause complete blindness, because it doesn't affect side vision. However, it is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults and can make reading, driving and recognizing faces hard.
4- Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)
In strabismus (crossed eyes), the eyes don't line up and point in different directions. In children, the brain may start to ignore the misaligned eye, which can lead to amblyopia and permanent vision loss if it isn't treated early.
Treatment may include glasses, patching or eye muscle surgery to help the eyes line up.
5- Raised Intraocular Pressure / Ocular Hypertension
Ocular hypertension means the pressure inside the eye is higher than normal. High eye pressure raises the risk of damage to the optic nerve, which is glaucoma. Not everyone with high eye pressure develops glaucoma, so regular checks are important.
6- Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, often linked to high pressure inside the eye from fluid that doesn't drain properly. It usually has no early symptoms and slowly takes away side vision.
There's no cure for glaucoma, and lost vision can't be restored. Eye drops, laser treatment or surgery can lower eye pressure and often stop further damage.
7- Corneal Diseases
Corneal injuries and diseases can also cause vision loss and blindness. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped "window" at the front of your eye that covers the iris and pupil. It helps focus light as it enters the eye.
The cornea can be damaged by injury, infection, disease or harmful chemicals. Signs of corneal damage include redness, pain, blurred vision, watery eyes and seeing halos around lights.
8- Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy damages blood vessels in the retina and can cause vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes. It may have no symptoms at first, so people with diabetes should have a dilated eye exam at least once a year.
HP Thoughts: Eye afflictions should not be taken for granted. They pose serious threats that could lead to further eye damage! Read an article we posted: Causes Of Itchy Eyes At Night.
Sources
- Glaucoma, National Eye Institute
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), National Eye Institute
- Cataracts, National Eye Institute
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye), National Eye Institute
