Leading Causes of Blindness
Though technically not an eye disease, cataracts are still one of the most common, and preventable, causes of vision loss.
Most of us will develop cataracts as we age, though certain risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, and excessive UV exposure can increase our chances of developing them earlier in life.
Cataracts can be removed using cataract surgery.
2. Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a condition that causes the macula to deteriorate over time.
Your macula, which is located on your retina, is responsible for your central vision.
As AMD progresses, your central vision will become blurry and deteriorate, until total vision loss occurs.
Once vision loss begins, you may have trouble recognizing faces, reading, driving, and performing other daily activities.
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada, affecting more than 250,000 Canadians.
Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve becomes damaged, preventing your eyes from sending visual information to your brain.
Though the most common cause of glaucoma is high intraocular pressure, it can develop even if your eye’s internal pressure is within normal range.
4. Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that occurs when the blood vessels become damaged as a result of high blood sugar levels.
This preventable condition is the leading cause of vision loss among patients with diabetes, and if left untreated, this disease can progress into diabetic macular edema.
Early diagnosis is key to slowing or even preventing vision loss.