What Causes Blindness?

An elderly woman getting a visual acuity test

There are a variety of different diseases, infections, and age-related illnesses that can cause blindness in an individual. The definition of complete blindness is the inability to see anything, including light. If someone is partially blind this means they have limited vision, for example, they may have blurry vision or the inability to distinguish the shapes of objects. Legally blind refers to a person who can only see up to 20 feet away. There are many variations of blindness and vision loss as well as countless ways these symptoms occur. Below are some of the most common causes of blindness and vision impairment.

Firstly though, what are the symptoms of blindness?

  • cloudy vision
  • an inability to see shapes
  • seeing only shadows
  • poor night vision
  • tunnel vision

The following eye conditions can cause permanent or temporary blindness in individuals:

Glaucoma

This is a common eye condition, where the optic nerve, which connects the eyes to the brain, gets damaged. The most common cause for this is fluid build-up in the front part of the eye, increasing the pressure inside of the eye. Glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss if not diagnosed and treated early. We recommend using the Can-C Eye Drops, which are proven to treat and reduce some age-related eye disorders.

Macular Degeneration

It’s not yet scientifically known what causes macular degeneration, but some research indicates there is a variety of hereditary and environmental factors that can make this condition worse, for example, smoking, obesity, and diet, all having an effect on later life and the chances of worsening the condition. MacuShield Capsules are great for maintaining healthy eyes and preventing macular degeneration, with lots of feedback and positive reviews, many people are pleased with the effects of the product.

Cataracts

A cataract happens when the lens within your eye becomes cloudy. It can happen to all the lenses or just part of them. There are different types of cataracts, but the most common is age-related cataracts, which are more common in older people. It is likely to be found to some degree in almost all people over 65. Usually, the treatment is surgery, but eye specialists do say eye drops can help relieve some of the symptoms of the condition. There is a variety of products on our site to help relieve the symptoms of cataracts, click here to find out more.

Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis occurs when swelling damages, the optic nerve. Common symptoms of optic neuritis include pain with eye movement and temporary vision loss in one eye. The causes of optical neuritis are Bacterial infections, including Lyme disease, cat-scratch fever, and syphilis, or viruses, such as measles, mumps, and herpes, which can cause optic neuritis. Other diseases. Diseases such as sarcoidosis, Bechet’s disease, and lupus can cause recurrent optic neuritis.

There are many ways in which blindness can occur and so prevention can be difficult, the best way to prevent these diseases for as long as possible would be to lead a healthy lifestyle and look after your eyes, wearing sunglasses and taking breaks from screens. If you would like any more information on other topics, we have other blogs such as:

What Habits Should I Build To Keep My Eyes Healthy?

How Does Your Diet Affect Your Vision

How Can You Naturally Maintain Your Vision