Eye Diseases

The leading causes of low vision and blindness in the U.S. are age-related eye diseases. These diseases include Cataracts, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, and Macular Degeneration.

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Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. Looking through a cloudy lens is like trying to see through a frosty or fogged-up window. Clouded vision can make it more difficult to read, drive a car, especially at night, or see the expression on a friend's face. Cataracts commonly affect distance vision and cause problems with glare. They generally don't cause irritation or pain.

For more information on Cataracts visit:

The Mayo Clinic

The National Eye Institute

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that results from damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). At first, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. Eventually, however, diabetic retinopathy can result in blindness.

For more information about Diabetic Retinopathy visit:

The Mayo Clinic

The National Eye Institute

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease that damages your eye’s optic nerve. Over time, damage to the optic nerve causes small blind spots in the side, or periphery, of your vision. In the early stages, these blind spots go unnoticed. It is only until the majority of the optic nerve fibers die and the blind spots come together, that a person with glaucoma will notice symptoms.

For more information about Glaucoma visit:

The Glaucoma FoundationThe National Eye Institute

Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision. Central vision is needed for seeing objects clearly and for common daily tasks such as reading and driving. AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older.

For more information on Macular Degeneration visit:

The American Macular Degeneration Foundation