Information, Causes and Prevention of Vision Loss

Vision loss can take on various forms and shapes. Loss of visual acuity, while being the most common, is not the only form of vision loss to occur. Refractive errors can cause people to lose visual acuity at near or far distances. Retinal degeneration can result in disorders such as glaucoma & macular degeneration. Corneal disorders such as cataracts, muscular problems, complications related to diabetes and infections can also result in vision loss.

Thousands of people suffer from vision loss all across Ireland each year.  About 314 million people in the world are visually impaired of which 45 million are blind. In Ireland, just as in other developed countries, vision impairment due to infectious diseases has been greatly reduced. However, there is an increase in the number of people who suffer vision impairment from conditions related to longer life expectancies.

Approximately 82% of all the people who are suffering from some form of vision loss are above the age of 50. Some of the major causes of vision loss could be media opacity, retinal diseases and optic nerve diseases. Cataracts tend to be the most common form of vision loss due to media opacity, while macular degeneration is a retinal disease which causes vision impairment. However, it is important to note that 85% of all visual impairment and 75% of blind cases can be prevented or cured. Opticians and optometrists are the first port of call in most of these circumstances. Opticians can play a pivotal role in removing, reducing or arresting any vision impairment people may suffer from. Regular checkups in terms of sight examinations or an eye test at an optician's practice can significantly reduce the risk of vision loss by earlier detection and proper care.

Detection

At Mairead O’Leary Opticians, we have practitioners who are highly experienced and we use the newest equipment that is being developed in eye-care. We have the facility to carry out a wide spectrum of tests for all age groups, from children to the elderly. In particular, our examinations for adults over 40 include a wide range of checks for diseases which become more prevalent with age. We test for diseases and medical conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, tumours, circulatory disease, etc. which may lead to vision loss.

Vision Loss Prevention - A Proactive Approach

The best way to reduce chances of any significant vision loss is to be proactive about it. We are an experienced team of ophthalmic professionals with branches in Rathmines and Blanchardstown.  Book an appointment with us to get your eyes tested and ensure you have the right prescription for your eyes. We have also provided a lot of resources and material on our website to help you understand the causes of and recognise the symptoms of vision loss due to different vision problems.  Looking after your eyesight by regular checkups will help ensure you significantly reduce your chances of suffering from vision loss.

Contact us today if you want to discuss any eye conditions or have any queries on eye-care and vision loss.