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Can blindness be anticipated?
It should be known that today blindness can be anticipated in 80% of cases. The role of informing of public is very important. It is the duty of the Government and Institutions of Blindness to intensify their efforts in the prevention and confrontation of blindness.
Causes of blindness
The causes of blindness are related to the living conditions and hygiene of each country. The causes are different in under developed countries from those in developed countries.
Causes of blindness in underdeveloped countries
- Trachoma which is caused by a contagious virus, causes ocular morbidity and can be prevented with the improvement of hygiene and living conditions.
- Xeropthalmia , which leads to the complete opacity of the cornea, is found mainly in children, due to malnutrition and lack of vitamin A. Can be prevented by taking vitamin A or eating foods rich in it.
- Onchocerciasis or river blindness is caused by a parasite that causes emvoli in the central artery of retina and is cured with the administration of Ivermectin, which if taken in time destroys the parasite before it damages in the human eye.
- The cataract concerns 20% of curable blindness internationally. It is distinguished in form by genetics (hereditary), from injuries and from old age which is also the most common. Its frequent appearance varies between the underdeveloped and developed world, although in India 10.000.000 people have become blind from cataracts. It can only be treated surgically and the surgical technique depends on the available technological equipment.
Causes of Blindness in Developed Countries
- The cataract , because it is the progressive cloudiness of the lens hinders near and far sight (especially in night driving). It leads patients to surgery as it was mentioned before, because of the technological possibilities. In this case the technique of implantation of inner lens is preferred and the percentage of success is 95-98%.
- Glaucoma concerns 18-20% of blind individuals internationally and it is the sneakiest ocular disease, because symptoms usually become apparent when the optical nerve has already incurred irreversible damage. It is usually present in both eyes, caused by increased intraocular pressure which destroys progressively the optical nerve and leads, if it is not discovered to irreversible blindness. It is highly recommended that all people over 40 have annual measurements of their intraocular pressure particularly in people with myopia and diabetes. Users of cortisone and people with a family history of glaucoma should be checked earlier.
- Diabetic Retinopathy , makes up 20% of blind individuals internationally and is caused by the progressive destruction of the blood vessels of the retina
- Age-related Macular Degeneration in 25% of individuals over 55 leads to reduction or loss of central sight.
- Vascular diseases of the retina , such as thrombosis of the central retina vein or embolism of the central artery in the retina, usually, are present in hypertensive individuals or in individuals with heart or blood problems, in diabetics and in smokers.
- The degenerative diseases of the retina with the main representative Retinitis Pigmentosa include hereditary diseases that are characterized by progressive degeneration of the photoreceptors cells of the retina causing gradual reduction of visual acuity and optical fields.
- The detached retina usually appears in middle age and is created by degenerative alterations to the retina. It is dealt with successfully in high proportion with surgical intervention. Individuals with a genetic history and with myopia have an inclination for detachment. Occasionally the detachment is preceded by warning signals such as floaters or flashes of light.
- Refractive errors should be diagnosed in a timely fashion in children. An preventive ophthalmologic check-up should happen before the age of 3 in order to recognize likely amblyopia, in other words reduced sight in one eye. If amblyopia it is not caught early, age 7 at the latest, it creates permanent reduction of visual acuity (lazy eye).
- Keratitis , if it is not treated can lead to cloudiness of the cornea and to a large reduction of sight. The causes are mainly virulent (from bacteria or fungi or herpes simplex), infrequently hereditary in small children, more frequent in the elderly, (degenerative dystrophies), or from burns (from acids or alkali) due to work accidents, that require immediate hospital intervention and finally from car accidents, in which both eyes are usually wounded.
- Injuries (5% of cases) are usually caused by work accidents (chemical burns, foreign bodies, explosions), hunting or car accidents. Children’s injuries are usually caused by household appliances and games. The briefing and the reception of systematic precautionary means in the work place, seat belts in cars and the attention of parents, can help prevent 50% of ocular injuries.
[ The information above is taken from an article written by Dr. Marianna Tsirou , Ophthamologist. It was written for the "Prevention and Confrontation of Blindness" program of the Pan-Hellenic Union of Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa ]
Is there an early intervention program for children? Which institution is responsible for children?
What rights do I have now that I am blind?;
See Rights of visually-impaired individuals
How can I get the monetary aid for the blind benefit?
See Monetary Aid for the Blind
Which other institutions can help a blind individual?
Âë. See Institutions for the Blind