More common than you think
More than 3.4 million people in the U.S. age 40 and older meet the definition of “legal blindness” (visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better-seeing eye or visual field of 20 degrees or less) or have corrected vision (visual acuity of 20/40 or less), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Almost 7% of U.S. children under the age of 18 have been diagnosed with an eye disease or condition. Nearly 3% of children under 18 are blind or whose vision is impaired.
Vision loss is among the top 10 causes of disability in the U.S in adults over the age of 18 and one of the most common disabling conditions in children.
Cataracts
A cataract is a type of eye disease identified as a clouding or darkening that develops in the normally clear lens of the eye. This prevents the lens from properly focusing light on the retina, at the back of the eye, resulting in the loss of vision. It is not a film that grows over the surface of the eye.
No one is exactly sure what causes a cataract, but it is known that chemical changes within the lens cause it to become cloudy. This is often thought of as a part of the natural aging process, but it may also result from heredity, an injury or disease.
Cataracts are most often found in persons over age 55 but are also occasionally found in younger persons, even newborns. Cataracts usually develop in both eyes, but often at different rates. Some cataracts develop slowly over a period of years and others form rapidly within a few months.
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve, resulting in a loss of vision. The optic nerve transmits visual signals from the eye to the brain.
The most common form of glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, is associated with an increase in the fluid pressure inside the eye. The higher pressure causes progressive damage to the optic nerve and loss of vision. Advanced glaucoma may even cause blindness.
Not everyone with high pressure will develop glaucoma, and many people with normal eye pressure can develop glaucoma. When the pressure inside an eye is too high for that particular optic nerve, glaucoma will develop.
There are many types of glaucoma and many theories regarding the causes. But the exact cause of glaucoma is not known, and it cannot currently be prevented.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss among people over age 60. It is an eye disease resulting from changes to the macula, a portion of the retina which is located on the inside back layer of the eye. The macula is responsible for clear, sharp vision and is many times more sensitive than the rest of the retina. Without a health macula, seeing detailed or vivid color is not possible.
There are two types of age-related macular degeneration, wet and dry AMD. In the dry type, deposits form in the tissue of the macula and it stops functioning properly. This type is thought to occur as part of the aging process of the eye in some people.
There is currently no preventive treatment available for this slowly progressive condition, although much research is being conducted in this area. Studies suggest that taking certain nutritional supplements may slow the progression of this disease.
Wet macular degeneration is less common than dry macular degeneration. In wet AMD, fluids form newly formed blood vessels leak under the macula and cause significant vision loss. This condition can sometimes be treated with laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, or injections to the eye. Early detection and prompt treatment is vital in limiting visual loss.
How to identify eye disease
The good news is that it’s never too late to start taking care of your eye health. Regular eye health appointments and eye exams can lead to early diagnosis. This is key to correcting or slowing most eye disease. Always call us if your vision problem lasts for more than a few days or worsens. We are here to help.
Are Eye Diseases covered by Insurance?
Yes, a comprehensive medical eye exam is covered by Medicare and health insurance.
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