Four Most Common Causes of Vision Loss

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible severe central vision loss in Caucasians over the age of 50 in the U.S. The incidence and progression of all the features of AMD is known to increase significantly with age. It results from damage to the macula, which is the central part of the retina responsible for central vision and ability to see detail. Although the extent of central vision loss can be significant, macular degeneration alone rarely causes total blindness. There is dry and wet macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration treatment is injection or laser; for dry macular degeneration the only treatment is eye vitamin to help reduce the progression of central vision loss.

Glaucoma in its most common form is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States, and the leading cause of blindness among African-Americans. Glaucoma is a disease where pressure within the eye is so high that it can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. It affects side vision long before central vision is affected. Although glaucoma cannot yet be prevented, it can usually be controlled with eye drops, laser and if pressure is still not being controlled that way glaucoma surgery is required.

Diabetic/ Hypertension Retinopathy is a complication of diabetes caused by damage to blood vessels in the retina. It is one of the four leading causes of severe vision impairment in older Americans. The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy is greater the longer someone has diabetes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, about 85 percent of people who have had diabetes for at least 7 years and hypertension for 10 years have some damage to the retina. Treatment is monitoring diabetes or blood pressure if it is not being controlled laser or injection will be required depending on severity. 

Cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which is normally clear. Light can no longer pass through the lens easily, and vision becomes hazy or blurred. The current treatment, which is safe and highly successful, is surgical removal of the lens which is usually replaced with an intraocular man-made lens.