Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve usually due to increased pressure in the globe of the eye. This is usually treated with medication occasionally surgery for specific types of glaucoma. Regular eye examination is important in preventing optic nerve damage
Cataracts are an opacification of the lens of the eye. They can have variety of causes including congenital infections such as rubella, direct trauma to the eye and aging. They result in gradual impairment of an individual's ability to visualize the world around them gradually leading to blindness.
Vision can be restored, and blindness prevented, by surgical removal of the opacified lens and replacement with an intraocular lens implant (IOL). The costs of such surgery is approximately $35, a paltry sum for most western countries but a fortune for the rural developing country farmer.
Some 43,500 people have received cataract surgery, in India, through the work of Canadian Eyesight Global formerly Canadian Eyesight International.
The retina forms the vision sensing layer at the back of the eye. The macular area is that part of the retina that allows the detailed vision in the center of the visual field. Macular degeneration is a group of diseases that cause degeneration of the macular region resulting in loss of the ability to see the area a person normally tries to focus. Vision surrounding the macula is maintained. The most common form of this disease is age related macular degeneration (AMD).
As lifespan continue to increase, AMD rates increase where almost a quarter of the population over ninety is affected by the disease
The worlds incidence of diabetes is a rising figure. Consequently, diabetic retinopathy is on the rise. It is the leading cause of new onset blindness in americans between 25 to 75 years of age.
Prevention remains the key. The Diabetic Complications Control Trial demonstrated that intensive glucose control reduced the incidence and the progression of diabetic retinopathy in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Coexisting diseases such as hypertension, high blood lipids and smoking may be contributory and should be controlled.
Detection depends on regular screening so that treatment is started early in the disease. Treatment is usually by laser therapy.
Diabetics can avoid the complications from diabetes by watching their diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and not smoking.