Causes of Blindness
There are many common causes for onset of visual impairment and blindness. However, the incidence of these varies considerably between the two conditions. The main causes of visual impairment in any degree can be:
- macular degeneration. It is an eye disorder that generates blurred or reduced central vision, due to the thinning of the macula.
- Waterfalls. It is the opacity of the natural lens of the eye called crystalline.
- Glaucoma. It is a disease that damages the optic nerve in a slow, progressive and silent way, bringing with it a deterioration in the visual field. It is generally caused by an increase in intraocular pressure.
- Diabetic retinopathy. It is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels of the retina.
- trachoma It is an infection caused by a bacterium that causes opacification of the cornea.
- uveitis. It is the inflammation of the uvea (intermediate lamina of the eye located between the sclera and the retina).
- corneal opacity. It is a loss of transparency of the cornea.
- Injuries to both the eye and the brain.
- Eye infections.
- Some of the risk factors for blindness are:
- Poor prenatal care.
- Premature birth.
- Advanced age.
- poor nutrition.
- Not wearing safety glasses when necessary.
- Poor hygiene.
- Smoke.
- Family history of blindness.
- Presence of pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
The leading causes of blindness worldwide are cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, trachoma, and childhood eye conditions, such as those caused by vitamin A deficiency.
Age-related blindness and blindness due to uncontrolled diabetes are increasing worldwide, while blindness from infectious causes is declining thanks to public health measures.
Three quarters of blindness cases are preventable or treatable. Among the causes of blindness we have those that can be reversed with medical or surgical treatment, such as cataracts, and irreversible ones, such as glaucoma.
Are there treatments to counteract the effects of visual impairment?
Before applying a specific treatment, the medical professional should be the one to determine the cause and degree of visual impairment. The same treatment is not applied to all types of deficit. However, the following methods are generally adapted:
- Magnifying devices for vision.
- Diabetes control.
- Cataract surgery.
- Glaucoma control.
- Adaptation of corrective lenses.
- Laser surgery or cryotherapy (freezing) for retinopathy.
- Visual aids.
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