EYE HEALTH VISION IMPAIRMENT AND BLINDNESS

Eye Protection:

·         Wear sunglasses:

Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays by wearing sunglasses that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB radiation, according to the CDC. 

·         Use protective eyewear:

Wear safety glasses or goggles during activities like sports, construction work, or home repairs that could cause eye injuries. 

·         Proper contact lens care:

If you wear contact lenses, follow your eye care professional's instructions for cleaning and maintenance to prevent infections, says Prevent Blindness. 

Vision Impairment:

Vision impairment refers to a decrease in visual function that cannot be fully corrected by standard means (glasses, contacts, surgery) and significantly interferes with daily activities. 

         Types:

          Low Vision: Some vision remains, but daily                                                                               tasks are difficult to perform. 

·                                                                                                                                          Blindness: Little to no sight. 

·           Causes:

·         Age-related eye diseases: Cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy are major contributors, especially in older adults. 

·         Refractive errors: Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia, if uncorrected, can lead to vision impairment. 

·         Other eye disorders: Injuries, infections, and birth defects can also cause vision loss. 

·         Impact:

Vision impairment can significantly impact quality of life, affecting activities like reading, work, and social interaction. 

Blindness:

·         Definition:

Complete or near-complete loss of sight. 

·         Causes:

Similar to vision impairment, but can also include advanced stages of eye diseases or severe eye injuries. 

·         Prevention and Treatment:

Many causes of blindness, like cataracts and refractive errors, are preventable or treatable. 

·         Global Impact:

Blindness and vision impairment are a significant public health concern, with millions affected worldwide. 

Importance of Eye Health:

·         Early Detection:

Regular eye exams are crucial for detecting eye conditions early, when treatment is often most effective. 

·         Prevention:

Many causes of vision impairment and blindness are preventable through lifestyle changes, such as managing diabetes and protecting eyes from UV damage. 

·         Intervention:

Treatment options include corrective lenses, medication, surgery, and vision rehabilitation programs. 

·         Public Health Initiatives:

Efforts are underway to increase access to eye care services and address the global burden of blindness and vision impairment. 

Low vision is a vision problem that makes it hard to do everyday activities. It can’t be fixed with glasses, contact lenses, or other standard treatments like medicine or surgery.

You may have low vision if you can’t see well enough to do things like:

• Read
• Drive
• Recognize people’s faces
• Tell colors apart
• See your television or computer screen clearly
• 
  
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Blindness:

   Blindness is the inability to see or a lack of   vision. In the most severe cases, there's an   inability to see even light. It also means   that  you can't correct your vision with   eyeglasses, contact lenses, eye drops or   other medical therapy, or surgery. Sudden     vision loss is an emergency.

Types of Blindness:

·         Total Blindness: This refers to the complete inability to see, including light perception. 

·         Cortical Blindness: This occurs due to damage to the visual cortex in the brain, rather than the eyes themselves. 

·         Low Vision: This term describes vision impairment that is not correctable to normal with standard methods, but still allows for some usable vision. 

Causes of Blindness:

        Eye Diseases: Conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy are common causes of vision loss and blindness. 

          Injuries: Trauma to the eye or head can lead to blindness. 

         Neurological Conditions: Stroke, tumors, or other neurological issues affecting the visual pathways in the brain can cause blindness.