Do You Have Some Loss of Vision?

Many different conditions can lead to a dimming or Loss of Vision.

Among the most common are:

Cataracts,

Glaucoma,

and Diabetic Retinopathy.

Macular Degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa are less common, but do occur with some frequency.

There are others as well:

• Retinal Detachment:

This causes a vision loss often compared to having a curtain drawn across one’s field of vision. Loss of vision may be preceded by a shower of “sparks” or lightning-like flashes of light, or by a dramatic increase in the number of black floater in the field of vision.

• Uveitis:

This is an inflammation in the middle layer of the eye, which consists of the iris; the ciliary’s body, and the choroid. In many cases it is caused by an underlying systemic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or infection.

Pain and redness may be present, but often symptoms consist primarily of diminished or hazy vision. Another condition that can lead to loss of vision is blockage of a blood vessel serving the retina, usually by a blood clot.

Visual loss is generally sudden if the affected blood vessel is an artery, but it may be less rapid if the block vessel is a vein. Usually only one eye is affected.

• Inflammation of the optic nerve:

This inflammation is another possible cause of vision loss. Such inflammation may occur as a result of a systemic illness or infection, but in many cases the cause cannot be determined.

This condition usually affects only one eye but it may affect both, causing varying degrees of vision loss over the course of a few days.

• Toxic Amblyopia:

This is a condition in which a toxic reaction damages the optic nerve, creating a small “hole” in the field of vision that enlarges over a period of time and may even lead to blindness. In most cases, both eyes are affected.

This disorder is most common in people who smoke – in fact, it is sometimes referred to as tobacco amblyopia – and is seen most often in pipe smokers.

It may also occur in those who consume excessive amounts of alcohol or who come in contact with lead, methanol, chloramphenicol, digitalis, ethambutol, and other chemicals.

Recommendations

If any of the above symptoms develop, consult a physician. For most of these conditions, prompt treatment may help to preserve sight or at least slow vision loss.

Do not smoke, and avoid those who do even people who have already developed toxic Amblyopia as a result of smoking can Improve Vision if they quit.

Considerations

The syndromes discussed here are usually painless Physical Discomfort is not a reliable indicator of visual health.

Regular ophthalmic examinations are recommended for everyone over thirty-five.

---

Subscribe to EyeSight Vision Care! , our monthly newsletter with in depth information to help you keep up to date on how to Protect Your Eyesight with a free bonus. Fill out the form below. You'll then receive an email asking you to confirm that you subscribed. You'll always have the option to unsubscribe at the click of your mouse.

loss of vision to eye diseases