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Common causes of low vision vary from individual to individual.
Impairment of vision can be present congenitally or acquired as
a result of disease, injury, genetic factors, or the effects of
aging. Some of the more common conditions which could lead to
low vision include:
causes of low vision vary from individual to individual. Impairment of vision can be
present congenitally or acquired as a result of disease, injury,
genetic factors, or the effects of aging. Some of the more
common conditions which could lead to low vision include:
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). A
disease which progressively decreases central vision. ARMD is
the leading cause of severe vision loss in persons over age 50
and is second only to diabetes as the leading cause of legal
blindness in the 45-to 64-year-old age group.
Aniridia. The failure of the iris to develop completely so that it is
partially or fully absent. Various conditions often accompany
aniridia such as extreme photophobia, decreased visual acuity,
nystagmus, glaucoma, and cataracts.
Cataracts.
Scarring
or perforation from corneal ulceration is a major cause of legal
blindness throughout the world.
Diabetes Mellitus. A
chronic disorder characterized by a lack of insulin secretion
and/or increased cellular resistance to insulin. The main ocular
problems stem from changes in the blood vessels of the eye which
may weaken, hemorrhage, and lead to retinal detachment. Diabetes
mellitus is the leading cause of legal blindness in the United
States.
Glaucoma. A
group of ocular diseases with various causes in which there is
an increase in the intraocular pressure (IOP) beyond what the
eye can tolerate. This leads to structural and functional
changes to ocular tissues and progressive loss of vision.
Glaucoma is the third most common cause of legal blindness in
the United States.
Keratoconus.
A developmental or dystrophic deformity of the cornea in which
it becomes cone-shaped, due to a thinning and stretching of the
tissue in its central area. Keratoconus usually manifests itself
during puberty, is usually bilateral, and is more common in
women than men.
Retinal
Detachment.
A condition where the retina is separated from its supporting
tissues. Thus, the retina receives no nourishment and a blind
area develops in the field of vision corresponding to the area
of detachment. Retinal detachment can result from trauma as well
as from some types of ocular and systemic diseases.
Retinitis
Pigmentosa. A group of inherited retinal pigmentary degenerations. Night
blindness and a gradual constriction of the field of view is the
result, often accompanied by photophobia. Cataracts and glaucoma
can be secondary complications as well.
Retinopathy of
Prematurity. A condition often seen in premature infants and occasionally
full-term infants who received oxygen therapy. When an infant
receives high levels of oxygen in the incubator, the retinal
vascular system fails to develop normally and this can lead to a
loss of vision.
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