Causes of Visual Loss

Visual loss can be caused by a variety of eye conditions; each condition can result in a different type of severity of loss. Your Rehabilitation Officer is able to provide booklets and more information about specific eye conditions.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a condition where the central part of vision begins to deteriorate although the side (peripheral) vision stays intact. This is a common cause of visual disability in elderly people.

Although the person will be able to see enough to move about in relative safety, viewing objects at a distance will become more difficult. Reading, sewing and other detailed work will become more difficult.

Cataract

A cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye. It disturbs the passage of light and stops the eye from focussing correctly. This may occur at any age but is more common as people get older. Cataracts usually develop gradually. They make the vision hazy or blurred and it often seems worse in bright light.

Glaucoma

It is difficult to tell when chronic glaucoma starts, as there are virtually no symptoms nor pain in the early stages. Warning signs may include coloured rings or haloes around lights, blurring of vision, or difficulty in focusing, which is not constant, but may occur at regular intervals or regular times of the day.

If there is a history of glaucoma in your family it is advisable to have a regular eye test, which is free to all close relatives over 40 years of age.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Having diabetes does not necessarily mean that you will lose your sight. If you have diabetic retinopathy, haemorrhaging will occur at the back of the eye. This will result in different parts of your vision being lost. This will depend on the size, position and number of haemorrhages which can vary from person to person.

Strokes, High Blood Pressure, Multiple Sclerosis

The type of visual loss resulting from a stroke, high blood pressure and multiple sclerosis will be dependent upon the severity of the condition. This may vary from a small loss of vision to a severe loss of sight.

The right of left side or upper or lower part of your vision maybe affected. Reading ability will also be seriously affected.

Congenital / Hereditary Conditions

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Some people are born totally blind, others may inherit an eye condition which will result in varying degrees of loss of sight, depending on the eye disease.

For example, Retinitis Pigmentosa often presents as night blindness in the early stages causing tunnel vision. It can lead to total blindness.

Trauma / Injury

The loss of sight due to trauma / injury is dependant on the type of injury sustained (e.g. industrial injury, car accident, etc.)

You can contact the Rehabilitation Officer via the Social Care Teams.