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Causes of BlindnessDid you know diseases cause about 95% of blindness, and injuries cause the rest? In the United States about half a million people are blind.
A common disease that can cause blindness are cataracts. This is when your lenses become opaque meaning that no light goes through. Some babies are born with cataracts. Luckily, cataracts can be removed by surgery. If you have cataracts removed by surgery you have to wear strong glasses or contact lenses.
Another disease is called glaucoma. The most common type of this disease occurs in people who are 40 years or older. The other type occurs in babies when they are born. Glaucoma is when fluid in the eye does not drain properly. Pressure in the eye builds up and can damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve brings signals to the brain. Most types of glaucoma can be treated with drugs or by surgery.
Another disease is called Trachoma. Trachoma is caused by a virus that affects the cornea and the conjunctiva or lining of the eyelid. The white part of the eye is called the sclera, and the colored part is the iris. The conjunctiva covers the sclera. Trachoma is contagious. It is spread by flies and contact with towels and other articles that have been used by people who have the disease. Physicians can cure the disease in the early stages by using medicines.
Macular degeneration makes people not see things at the center of their field of vision. This loss of sight often occurs as people age. This disease cuts off the circulation of blood in the center of the retina. It can be treated with a laser.
Diabetic retinopathy happens to people who have diabetes mellitus for a few years. Diabetes changes the blood vessel of the retina. The retina is the part of the eye that absorbs light rays. Sometimes the blood vessels will burst and cause bleeding in the eye. Sometimes the retina is detached from the back of the eye. Another case is when fluid leaks from capillaries in the retina. If your retina is detached or you have bleeding in the eye the clear fluid fills the center of the eye that can cause blindness. Early treatment with a laser can usually help these problems.
These are some of the common diseases that cause blindness. Advances in technology have helped to cure or prevent people from becoming blind. It gives them hope for the future.