What Are The Main Reasons Behind Vision Loss?
Posted on: 20 April 2021
Your ability to see is a critical aspect of life. Almost everything you do each day has something to do with vision. That's why it can get pretty scary to think about losing your sight. It's one sense you rely on heavily to accomplish your daily tasks.
For partial blindness, you're unable to make out distinctive shapes in your field of view. Everything appears blurred and far from reach. Total blindness, on the other hand, is much more severe since you can't see anything. Now that you're aware of the different types of vision loss, look at the most common reasons for this condition.
Eye Cataracts
Cataracts are the visual clouds that form around your inner eye inside the lens. One of the main reasons for this condition is age advancement, a common precursor for vision impairment. Once a cataract forms, its development can be accelerated by other factors such as diabetes, exposure to UV sun rays, and injury.
Your optometrist can identify a cataract early during your appointments and inform you of the next course of action. Treatment often involves surgery, which is good news since it means the condition isn't permanent. Be sure to watch out for these symptoms of an eye cataract:
- Clouded vision
- Inability to see under low light conditions
- Colors that appear less vibrant
- Double vision
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is another condition that comes with age. It's more commonly referred to as AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and is characterized by difficulty when reading and developing close-up vision. People with AMD have trouble with their central vision, which is crucial for everyday activities such as driving and reading.
The macular is right at the center of the retina and helps you make out finer details in your field of vision. Your optometrist can diagnose this problem during a routine exam. Therefore, if you notice anything unusual about your vision, be sure to let them know.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is essentially a condition that emanates from the accumulated pressure and fluids inside your eye. Unfortunately, this condition exhibits no symptoms, which is why you have to prioritize your visits to your optometrist.
These appointments should be part of your plans, especially as you advance in age. It's the only way to find out if you're at risk of developing glaucoma. Your optometrist can perform tests to measure the pressure inside the ocular region and diagnose the condition.
Glaucoma causes irreparable damage to your eye, which is why your chances are much better with early diagnosis. Additionally, if anyone in your family has had a brush with glaucoma, be sure to schedule regular sessions with your optometrist to be on the safe side. Reach out to an eye doctor in your area to make an appointment.
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