What are the effects of Blindness?

Blindness means not being able to see at all. It’s important to remember how much this affects daily life. When someone is completely blind, they can't see their family or friends, enjoy watching TV or reading books, and do many other things they l may have liked in the past (unless they were born blind). It's not just about missing out on fun activities – even basic tasks become hard. Being blind makes it very tough to do things independently, move around, and go to school or work. When vision is severely limited or completely gone, life becomes much more complex, and it's normal to feel depressed.

What Causes Blindness?

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. This damage often occurs due to increased intraocular pressure (pressure within the eye), leading to vision loss and even blindness if left untreated. It is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. Glaucoma usually progresses slowly and painlessly, so regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and treatment.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is directly caused by poorly treated diabetes. It harms the tiny blood vessels in your eye's retina due to high blood sugar levels. These vessels can become too big, leak, and swell without treatment. This problem usually affects both of your eyes. If you don't get help, it can worsen your vision and even lead to blindness.

Eye Injuries

Getting hit in the eye by a blunt or sharp object can cause irreversible damage to your eyes. You’re at higher risk if you play sports or work with machinery. Getting hit in the eye can cause temporary damage and discomfort, or it can cause permanent blindness, depending on the severity. 

Cataracts

Cataracts happen when the lenses in your eyes become cloudy, blocking light from going through. This causes your vision to become unclear and blurry. Cataracts are a primary reason for vision problems globally. If not treated, they worsen over time, causing more vision issues. They usually develop from getting older, being in sunlight, or having specific health issues. Diabetes often leads to cataracts.

What Can You Do to Prevent Blindness?

UV Ray Protection

Spending time outdoors and staying active is good for our health. However, being outside also means we're exposed to harmful UV rays from the sun. These rays can be dangerous for our eyes. If we're exposed to too much UV radiation, it can increase the risk of developing cataracts and other serious eye problems. Protecting our eyes whenever we're outside, regardless of the weather, is essential. If it's a very sunny day, wearing sunglasses is especially important to shield our eyes from the strong sunlight. Make sure you buy shades that block 100% UVA and UVB rays.

Live a Healthy Life

Living a healthy lifestyle is outstanding for your body and your eyes. Moving around and eating the right foods are essential aspects of a healthy life. Foods with vitamins A, C, and E, plus zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, can do a lot of good for your eyes. Good foods for your eye health include green leafy veggies, carrots, fruits like oranges, and fish.

Protect Your Eyes

Wearing safety glasses, goggles, or helmets with face shields is the best way to protect your eyes from injuries. This is especially important when doing physical work or playing sports. Even though it might seem easy to forget, wearing protective eyewear is essential. If you're playing sports or working with others, remind them to wear glasses or goggles to protect their eyes.

Take Care of Chronic Conditions

Long-term health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure are significant reasons for serious eye problems. If you have diabetes, controlling your blood sugar levels is extremely important to stop diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions that might cause blindness. If you handle your high blood pressure well, you can reduce the chance of hypertensive retinopathy. Taking care of your high blood pressure can also help with other eye problems.

Regular Eye Exams

To avoid blindness, it's essential to have regular eye check-ups. These are crucial even if your vision seems fine. Visiting the eye doctor regularly helps them catch problems like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy early. Treating these issues early can prevent them from worsening or becoming permanent vision loss. You can find a doctor for comprehensive eye exams at Nationwide Vision.

Contact Nationwide Vision in Arizona Today

People everywhere are experiencing vision problems and even blindness. But there's good news – there’s a lot we can do to stop these problems from getting worse. Our team at Nationwide Vision is here to get you the help you need to prevent permanent blindness and other eye diseases. We have locations all across Arizona. No matter where you are in the state, quality eye care and comprehensive eye exams are always close! Contact us today to learn more about World Blindness Awareness Month. Reach out now to schedule an appointment at Nationwide Vision so you can give your eyes the treatment they need!