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Common Causes of Blindness and Vision Loss in the US

There are millions of Americans over the age of 40 who are either legally blind—defined as having a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse—or are otherwise suffering from some form of debilitating vision loss. That number is projected to grow significantly higher over the next few decades due to an aging population and the increasing prevalence of diabetes. These two factors are top causes of blindness and vision loss in the United States as they can lead to age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the five of the most common causes of blindness and vision loss in the U.S., and providing some potential treatment options for each disease.

Top 5 Causes of Blindness & Low Vision 

  • Cataracts – Defined as the clouding of the eye’s lens, cataracts can be present at any age. However, they become particularly problematic after the age of 40, and without proper treatment, can lead to permanent vision loss.
  • Glaucoma – Glaucoma is among the hereditary eye diseases that cause blindness. While it is certainly possible to develop glaucoma without a family history, having a family history is considered a strong risk factor. When the eye pressure within the eye is higher than the optic nerve can tolerate, it results in vision loss, typically beginning with the peripheral vision.
  • Refractive Errors – This can include myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (distorted vision at any distance), all of which begin to accelerate after the age of 40 and can, if left untreated, lead to increasing vision loss.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy – Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes and one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults in the U.S. Vision loss occurs due to progressive damage to the blood vessels of the retina, which are the essential light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

There are four stages Diabetic Retinopathy progresses through:

  • Mild nonproliferative retinopathy – microaneurysms in the vessels
  • Moderate nonproliferative retinopathy – retinal vessels beginning to become blocked
  • Severe nonproliferative retinopathy – retina deprived of oxygen leading to new vessel growth
  • Proliferative retinopathy – most advanced stage of the disease
  • Macular Degeneration – Often referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), this eye disorder is directly related to the damage done by aging to the eye’s macula—the part that controls sharp and central vision. The leading cause of vision loss for people over the age of 65, macular degeneration greatly affects a person’s ability to perform essential daily visual tasks like reading and driving.

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration:

  • Wet AMD – When blood and fluid leakage occurs behind the retina due to abnormal blood vessel growth, causing damage to the eye and leading to visual distortions and greatly reduced central vision.
  • Dry AMD – When the macula thins naturally as part of the aging process, it’s referred to as dry macular degeneration. This is the more common of the two types of AMD, with around 3/4ths of cases being the dry form.

How Long Does It Take to Lose Vision With Macular Degeneration?

This is a common question for those who’ve been diagnosed with AMD. The answer depends on the type of AMD. Dry AMD progresses much more slowly through three stages, and it typically takes several years for vision loss to become significant. Wet AMD, on the other hand, can come on suddenly, and vision loss, including blindness, can occur over the course of just a few days.

Treatments for Vision Loss

  • Cataracts – Cataract surgery, where an ophthalmologist removes the clouded lens and replaces it with a permanent intraocular lens, is the only way to restore your clear vision.
  • Glaucoma – Lowering the intraocular pressure through prescription eye drops, oral medicines, laser treatment, and/or surgery are the preferred treatments.
  • Refractive Errors – Typically glasses, contact lenses, or surgery are enough to correct age-related refractive errors.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy – There are medicines called anti-VEGF drugs that can slow down or even reverse diabetic retinopathy, while corticosteroids can be helpful as well. Laser treatment, which is used to reduce the swelling in your retina and make the blood vessels shrink and stop leaking, is also an option.
  • Macular Degeneration – Many people wonder “Is blindness reversible when it’s due to macular degeneration?” The unfortunate reality is that there is no current treatment that can fully stop or cure the disease, although intravitreal injection therapy can help preserve vision. Lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, vitamin supplementation, and smoking cessation may all help to reduce the risk of advanced disease.

Luckily, however, there are clinical trials for new medicines, novel therapeutic approaches, and pioneering surgical techniques by eye doctors specializing in diagnosing and treating age-related macular degeneration.

Mid Atlantic Retina is recognized as one of the world’s leading practices for treating macular degeneration. Utilizing the most advanced techniques and technologies and providing customized plans for each patient, Mid Atlantic Retina delivers the best patient outcomes.

If you’re experiencing age-related vision loss and you want to consult with the industry’s leading eye physicians, reach out to Mid Atlantic Retina to request an appointment.