Cataracts
Cataracts are the leading cause of poor vision in adults. However, the development of cataracts does not have to mean a loss of sight. Treatment of cataracts is over 95% successful in restoring good vision. A cataract is the clouding of the eye's lens. The cloudy lens blocks the passage of light through the eye. As a result, the image that reaches the retina and is sent to the brain is cloudy and vision is poor.

Facts About Cataracts : Vision Channel : Cataracts in America

Glaucoma
It is estimated that glaucoma is threatening the vision of two out of every hundred persons age 35 and over. Glaucoma can result in blindness, and is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States today. Simply stated, glaucoma is elevation of the pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma destroys vision in this way: As the pressure inside the eye increases, the optic nerve is damaged. The optic nerve is comprised of millions of nerve bundles which transmit light images to the brain where they are translated into what we know as sight. When these nerve bundles are damaged, blind spots in areas of vision develop. With early glaucoma, these blind spots occur in the side (peripheral) vision and go undetected. Typically, there is no pain associated with the most common form of glaucoma. If the pressure inside the eye goes unchecked for a period of time, the damage increases and becomes permanent, and blindness results.

Glaucoma Research Foundation : National Eye Institute - Facts

Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of impaired reading or detailed vision. It is caused by the breakdown of the macula, the central portion of the retina. Although macular degeneration causes distortion of central and color vision, side vision is not affected. Most common in people over 60, but can appear as early as age 40. Macular degeneration is the most common cause of severe vision loss among people over 65, and, as life expectancy increases, the disease is becoming an increasingly significant problem.

Macular Degeneration Foundation : Fact Sheet : Partnership - AMD

Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus which causes abnormalities in the tiny blood vessels nourishing the retina. These vessels weaken, leak fluid and blood, and fail to provide nutrients necessary for good health in the retina. Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can result in severe visual loss, including blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among adults. Approximately, 25% of current diabetics have some form of the disease. The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy increases with the age of the diabetic person and the duration of the disease. It is estimated that 90% of diabetics may experience some for of diabetic retinopathy over the course of their life. However, only a small percentage of those developing diabetic retinopathy have serious vision problems and even a smaller percentage become blind.

National Eye Institute - Facts

Refractive Disorders

Refraction" refers to the total process by which the eye focuses light. Three factors determine the eye's refractive power: the curvature of the cornea, the power of the lens and the overall length of the eyeball. When these elements function properly, light focuses sharply on the retina and gives clear vision at all distances without glasses or contact lenses. Focusing or refractive disorders arise when these elements do not work in harmony with each other. In these cases, light does not focus on the retina and a blurred image is perceived at some or all distances. Common refractive disorders are:

Emmetropia (normal vision)

Light images enter your eye through the clear front surface, or cornea. The light then passes through the lens of the eye and is focused onto the retina and the point of sharpest focus, the fovea. The retina converts these light images into electrical impulses which then are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve.

Myopia (nearsightedness)

Nearsightedness is the most common refractive disorder. It is estimated that one in every four people is myopic, meaning near vision remains clear, but distance is blurred. Myopia is caused by either a long eyeball, a highly curved cornea or both. This causes light to focus in front of the retina. The term "nearsightedness" means you can see objects "near" to your more clearly than distant objects. (See picture below).

Hyperopia (farsightedness)

Farsighted people usually see distant objects more clearly than close objects. Farsightedness is caused by any combination of a short eyeball and flat corneal curvature. In this case, light hits the retina before it can come into sharp focus. (See picture below).

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is caused by asymmetric curvature of the cornea. Instead of being round like a marble, the cornea curvature is like a football. Light is not sharply focused at any distance. Astigmatism often occurs with myopia or hyperopia. (See picture below).

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is part of the natural aging process. Everyone experiences the effects of presbyopia, typically starting between the ages of 40-50. It develops as the lens of the eye loses some of its flexibility, making it difficult to focus up close. Mild myopia counteracts presbyopia. That is why if you are slightly myopic, you can remove your glasses and are still able to read. (See picture below).

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