How Does Blindness Affect People?

Blindness goes beyond simply not being able to see. It's a transformative situation that impacts every facet of a person's life. Our daily lives are filled with seeing the beauty around us, whether it be a green park or visiting an art museum. Not only do people suffering from blindness miss out on those beautiful sites, but they also struggle with daily tasks. If somebody is blind, they likely struggle with independence, mobility, and access to education and employment. What might be easy for most, such as reading or watching TV, can only be possible for some. Having severe vision impairment can also have a significant effect on emotional well-being.

What Causes Blindness?

We know you care about what you can do to prevent blindness, so these are the causes you should be aware of:

Eye Injuries

Playing sports or working with heavy machinery puts you at higher risk for sports or work-related accidents. Eye penetration or blunt trauma can severely damage your eyes. This can cause partial or complete vision loss. Protecting your eyes from physical trauma is crucial.

Cataracts

Cataracts are when your eye's lenses become clouded. The cloudiness blocks light from going through your lens as needed. Your vision then becomes blurry and hazy. Not only do they obscure your vision, but cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision impairment worldwide. Cataracts typically develop slowly and over time. They develop from aging, exposure to UV radiation, certain medications, or underlying health conditions, such as diabetes.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a medical condition that affects the eyes by causing harm to the optic nerve, which connects the eye with the brain. It occurs because of intraocular pressure or increased pressure inside the eye. Typically, glaucoma advances slowly and doesn’t cause pain. It initially results in the loss of side (peripheral) vision. If left untreated, it can eventually lead to complete blindness. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. That’s why it needs to be detected early during eye exams.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy stems from diabetes and affects the blood vessels in the retina. If you have high blood sugar levels, this can damage blood vessels in the eye over time. They can grow to abnormal sizes, leak, and swell. Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes. If not treated, this condition can lead to vision loss and even complete blindness.

How to Prevent Blindness

If you’re worried about blindness, there are many things you can do to help prevent it:

Use Protective Eyewear

Since eye injuries can happen anytime, protecting your eyes is essential when playing sports or doing physical labor. Safety goggles or helmets with face shields are ideal for preventing eye injuries. Doing something simple as covering your eyes can go a long way in preventing avoidable blindness.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle

We want you to be healthy in all aspects of life, including your eyes. Good eye health means eating a diet of vitamins A, C, and E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. We recommend you eat leafy greens, carrots, citrus fruits, and fish as part of your diet. Avoiding smoking and harmful pollutants goes a long way. Smoking increases the risk of eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration.

Look Out for UV Rays

We know you love spending time outside, but too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays can speed up cataract development and other harmful eye conditions. You must wear sunglasses with UV protection when you’re outside. We recommend protecting your eyes when you’re outside, no matter what, but it’s vital when it is sunny. Wear sunglasses that block 100% UVA and UVB rays for optimal protection.

Monitor Chronic Conditions

Diabetes and hypertension can lead to severe eye issues. Controlling hypertension can limit the risk of hypertensive retinopathy and other eye diseases that come with high blood pressure. People with diabetes must manage their blood sugar levels to prevent diabetic retinopathy and other diseases.

Schedule Regular Eye Exams

The best way to prevent blindness is by scheduling comprehensive eye exams. Regular comprehensive eye check-ups are essential even if you don’t have any noticeable eye ailments. It’s about preventing conditions before they develop. Eye doctors can detect early signs of cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy during eye exams. If diseases are detected early, your doctor can provide the appropriate treatment at the right time to prevent further vision loss and blindness.

Contact eyecarecenter in North Carolina Today

We can all do many things to prevent vision loss and permanent blindness. We know thinking about all of this can be stressful, but it’s essential for continued eye health. Our expert team at eyecarecenter is here to get you the help you need to prevent permanent blindness. Contact us today for more information about World Blindness Awareness Month.