People go blind for many
reasons, but disease is the main cause.
reasons, but disease is the main cause.
The top four diseases
that can cause blindness are:
that can cause blindness are:
1) CATARACTS:
Cataracts are a clouding
of the lens of the eye. By age 80, fifty percent of the population either has
cataracts or have had cataract surgery.
of the lens of the eye. By age 80, fifty percent of the population either has
cataracts or have had cataract surgery.
In the early stages,
often they can be treated with new glasses with an anti-glare coating, better
lighting and/or magnifiers, eventually surgery usually is advised.
often they can be treated with new glasses with an anti-glare coating, better
lighting and/or magnifiers, eventually surgery usually is advised.
2) DIABETIC RETINOPATHY:
Diabetic retinopathy is
caused by diabetes. It affects the blood vessels in the retina, the light
sensitive tissue in the back of the eye.
caused by diabetes. It affects the blood vessels in the retina, the light
sensitive tissue in the back of the eye.
In the early stages
there usually are no symptoms, but as it progresses it will decrease vision.
there usually are no symptoms, but as it progresses it will decrease vision.
Diabetic retinopathy is
treated with surgery or laser surgery. With timely treatment; adequate control
of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels; and regular follow up,
90 percent of all cases of blindness from diabetes can be prevented.
treated with surgery or laser surgery. With timely treatment; adequate control
of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels; and regular follow up,
90 percent of all cases of blindness from diabetes can be prevented.
3) MACULAR DEGENERATION:
Macular
degeneration usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision
in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the
retina. Although there is no cure for AMD at this time, regular eye exams
can detect the disease so treatment can be most effective. Findings from the
NEI-supported Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) show that a specific
combination of vitamins and minerals can help slow the progression of advanced
AMD.
degeneration usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision
in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the
retina. Although there is no cure for AMD at this time, regular eye exams
can detect the disease so treatment can be most effective. Findings from the
NEI-supported Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) show that a specific
combination of vitamins and minerals can help slow the progression of advanced
AMD.
4) GLAUCOMA:
Glaucoma damages the
eye’s optic nerve. It usually happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes
slowly rises, damaging the optic nerve. Often there are no symptoms at first,
but a comprehensive eye exam can detect it.
eye’s optic nerve. It usually happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes
slowly rises, damaging the optic nerve. Often there are no symptoms at first,
but a comprehensive eye exam can detect it.
Treatment usually
includes prescription eye drops and/or surgery. There is no “cure”
for glaucoma. Early diagnosis and treatment can control glaucoma before vision
loss or blindness occurs.
includes prescription eye drops and/or surgery. There is no “cure”
for glaucoma. Early diagnosis and treatment can control glaucoma before vision
loss or blindness occurs.
In poor countries, a
major cause of blindness is malnutrition. Vitamin A is vital for good vision,
especially in young children, and it is most commonly found in vegetables.
major cause of blindness is malnutrition. Vitamin A is vital for good vision,
especially in young children, and it is most commonly found in vegetables.
Another cause of
blindness is accidents. Things like toys, pencils, lawn mowers, and household
chemicals can cause injury if misused.
blindness is accidents. Things like toys, pencils, lawn mowers, and household
chemicals can cause injury if misused.
So remember, NEVER RUN
WITH SCISSORS!
WITH SCISSORS!
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