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Blindness is 60% preventable
through care and education of the community. Conditions
such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinitis pigmentosis,
diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration are responsible
for 51% of blindness. 49% is due to neglect, lack of
knowledge and professional care. Early diagnosis, modern
technology and protective eye-ware can significantly
reduce the rate of blindness.
Macular
Degeneration: Macular
degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in America.
It results
from changes to the macula, a portion of the retina
that is responsible for clear, sharp vision and
is located at the back of the eye.
Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetes is a disease that interferes with the body's
ability to use and store
sugar and can cause many health problems. One
problem, called diabetic retinopathy, can weaken and
cause
changes in the small blood vessels that nourish
your eye's retina, the delicate, light sensitive
lining
of the back of the eye. These blood vessels may
begin to leak, swell or develop
brush-like branches.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited
diseases that damage the light-sensitive rods
and cones located in the retina, the back part
of our
eyes. Rods, which provide side (peripheral)
and night vision are affected more
than the cones which provide color and clear
central vision.
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal
pressure in your eyes increases enough to
damage the nerve fibers in your optic nerve and cause
vision loss. The increase in pressure happens
when the passages
that normally allow fluid in your eyes to
drain
become clogged or blocked. The reasons that
the
passages become blocked are not known.
Cataracts: A cataract is a clouding
of all or part of the normally clear lens within
your eye,
which
results in blurred or distorted vision.
Cataracts are most often
found in persons over age 55, but they
are also occasionally found in
younger people.
Source: American Optometric
Association AOA |
