Vision loss is among the most prevalent disabilities in adults and children. Knowing what puts you at risk is important and can help you be proactive about caring for your eyes.

Common Causes of Vision Loss

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases caused by a buildup of pressure within the eye that can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. Since symptoms don't usually appear in early stages, regular eye exams are crucial. Risk factors include being 60 or older, family history, African/Asian/Hispanic descent, high myopia or hyperopia, previous eye injury, certain medications, and certain medical conditions like diabetes or hypertension.

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the eye's lens becomes cloudy, causing blurred or clouded vision, difficulty seeing at night, light sensitivity, and double vision. Risk factors include aging, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, previous eye surgery or injury, alcoholism, and extended use of corticosteroids.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over 60, occurring when the macula begins to deteriorate. Early stages often go unnoticed, but later stages can produce blurred vision and problems with color perception. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, aging, long-term sun exposure, hypertension, heart disease, family history, and farsightedness.

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the retina. Initially it shows no symptoms but can eventually cause increased floaters, impaired color vision, dark spots, and blurred vision. Risk factors include length of time since diabetes diagnosis, uncontrolled blood sugar, obesity, high cholesterol or blood pressure, pregnancy, and smoking.

The Bottom Line

If you think you may be at risk for vision loss, speak with your eye doctor in Kettering as soon as possible. We recommend having your eyes thoroughly examined every 1-2 years. To schedule your comprehensive eye exam, call Dayton Optometric Center today at (937) 228-2020.