Common Vision Impairment Disorders
Age-related eye diseases are the leading causes of low vision and blindness. Near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism are the leading causes of eye problems that commonly affect those of 12 years or older. These causes can be corrected through the use of eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery.
Some common eye disorders include the following:
Macular Degeneration is an age-related eye disorder that damages one's sharp and central vision, which is key for driving, reading, and generally viewing things clearly.
Cataracts can occur at any age, including at birth, and is the most common cause of blindness and vision-loss. Characterized by clouding on the eye's lens, cataracts can be treated through operation.
Diabetic Retinopathy occurs from complications of diabetes and usually affects both eyes. Diabetic retinopathy is
caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina, and can lead to blindness. The risk of acquiring this condition can be reduced by properly managing one's diabetes.
Amblyopia, known as "lazy eye," is a common eye disorder in children. This is caused when the connection between the brain and the eye is not working correctly. Vision in one eye is impaired by the brain "favoring" one eye over the other. Amblyopia can be corrected if treated early by patching the stronger eye.
Strabismus refers to an imbalance of both eyes, due to lack of coordination between them, causing the eyes to cross or turn out. Strabismus results in each eye looking in a different direction and failing to focus on the same point, thus reducing depth perception. Strabismus is usually diagnosed shortly after birth or in childhood.
