Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults have some degree of vision loss. Of those, seven million are legally blind. While dozens of diseases and disorders can affect the eyes, the majority of vision problems can be attributed to these five conditions…

Refractive Errors

Refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, are the most common causes of vision loss. Refractive errors occur when light is improperly bent (or “refracted”) while passing through the cornea. This produces a flawed image. Thankfully, refractive errors are correctable with eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery. Scheduling a comprehensive eye exam at an optical shop near you is the first step.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 60, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) results from thinning of the macula, a component of the retina. With AMD, central vision is adversely impacted, reducing one’s ability to make out fine details. Over time, complete loss of central vision is possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progress of AMD, so regular eye exams are critical, particularly as you get older. 

Cataracts

Cataracts can develop in one eye or both. As they do, vision gradually gets worse. Cataract symptoms usually include cloudy or blurred vision, double vision, lens discoloration, light sensitivity, glare and halos. Without surgery, cataracts eventually lead to total blindness. Thankfully, cataract surgery has an extremely high success rate – 98% or higher for the more than three million cataract surgeries performed in the U.S. each year.

Diabetic Retinopathy

People with diabetes are susceptible to diabetic retinopathy, a condition that occurs when high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the retina. This initially allows fluid to leak within the eye. Later, swelling and scar tissue can cause the retina to detach, resulting in irreversible vision loss. Regular eye health monitoring can help spot warning signs so you can make healthy choices.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma usually results from elevated eye pressure, which damages the optic nerve. That damage prevents proper transfer of visual information from the eye to the brain. Depending on the type of glaucoma (open-angle, or normal-tension or low-tension), symptoms can include gradual loss of peripheral vision, tunnel vision, severe eye pain, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, halos and red eyes. Like several of the conditions outlined above, early diagnosis is the key to slowing the conditions progress in order to maintain vision.

If you have symptoms of vision loss, or if you just haven’t been to the eye doctor in a while, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300. Our team of opticians and ophthalmologists can evaluate your overall eye health and, if necessary, prescribe glasses or contacts, perform corrective eye surgery or make recommendations to help you maintain your vision. We’re here to help you see clearly.