Types of sight loss
“As the population ages and the incidence and prevalence in key underlying causes of sight loss increases, so sight loss is expected to become even more prevalent in the future” UK Vision Strategy
The major causes of sight loss in the UK are:
Age related macular degeneration (AMD)
Cataracts
Diabetic retinopathy
Glaucoma
Over 50 per cent of all sight problems in older people are estimated to be due to untreated refractive error or cataracts. Refractive error is the name for eye conditions where light is incorrectly focussed on the retina resulting in reduced vision.
Sight loss can develop suddenly and severely or can develop gradually, normally the latter is the case. Department of Health figures show that over four million older people do not have regular eye tests, so their potential sight problems are not being identified or treated.
We also let you know how these conditions can affect reading. However there is no way to know exactly how sight will be affected by an eye condition, the only way to know for sure is to ask.
- Date: May 2009