Major Causes Of Blindness

Copyright © 1995 by the National Federation of the Blind.

Every year 50,000 Americans become blind. Blindness occurs most often with advancing age, with half of all blind people generally considered to be over sixty-five. A significant number of blind people, however, are children or young adults.

There are many causes of blindness. You can read this page for some of the major causes of blindness in the United States or click here for a list of links about specific conditions and web sites with medical information search engines.

CATARACTS - Opacities and clouding of the eye's lens, known as cataracts, may form and block the passage of light through the eye. Some people are born with cataracts, but the incidence increases with age. They are not painful; in fact the only symptom is blurred, dimmed or double vision. Not all require surgery, but those large enough to cause serious visual problems require surgical removal of the lens, implantation of an intraocular lens and corrective glasses or contact lenses. Click here to get more information about eye diseases.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY - The increased lifespan of diabetics has increased the incidence of this disorder. Changes in the tiny blood vessels of the diabetic's retina can cause blindness. Abnormal blood vessels are formed, some may burst and the retina may even break loose from the back of the eye. Laser treatments to "seal" blood vessels or reattach the retina may help if undertaken early. Some diabetics, incidentally, do not experience vision loss. Click here to get more information about eye diseases.

GLAUCOMA - Perhaps one in every seven or eight cases of blindness is due to this disorder, in which the transparent fluid inside the forward part of the eye does not drain normally and excess pressure is built up within the eye. If the pressure is not controlled, the delicate structure of the eye is increasingly damaged, resulting in blurred vision, a narrowed field of sight and eventually total blindness. Early symptoms may include blurred vision, halos around lights and reduced side vision. In the acute type, there is great pain as eye pressure rises quickly from blocked drainage canals. In the more common chronic type there is no pain and vision loss is gradual. Many cases are controlled very well by medication, but surgery is sometimes necessary. Early detection is important. Click here to get more information about eye diseases.

MACULAR DEGENERATION - As the inner surface or lining at the back of the eye, the retina functions a little like the film in a camera. The macula is the part of the retina which forms the center of the "picture" and the sharpest image. Degeneration or breakdown of the retina may occur, especially with increased age. The disorder may be slow or rapid, but peripheral vision usually remains good. Magnifiers may help, and a few people may be helped by laser treatment to seal off blood vessels which have grown beneath the retina or to repair the macular's weak spots by removing worn-out tissue and allowing new tissue growth. Click here to get more information about eye diseases.

RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA - Frequently beginning as what is called "night blindness," this condition brings degeneration of the retina and the choroid (a related vascular area), usually involving an abnormal development of excess pigment. It is hereditary, with a variety of patterns of inheritance and development. The most common pattern of development is as follows: At approximately age ten or twelve, the youngster begins to experience some difficulty in seeing at night and in poorly lighted areas. His visual field also begins to narrow, frequently resulting in what is commonly termed "tunnel vision" although he may not realize this at first. The Visual loss is progressive, so that the individual is usually legally blind by young adulthood and slowly loses more and more vision thereafter. Many adults with retinitis pigmentosa have a very tiny field of vision in which they see well under a good light but which is so small as to be of little use. Total blindness often results. There is no known treatment. Click here to get more information about eye diseases.

Many other vision disorders can cause blindness. If you are experiencing difficulty with your vision, seek attention from a professional eye specialist immediately. Blindness isn't the end of the world, still there's no reason to go blind when you don't have to.

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