Blindness Causes

There are different levels or variations of blindness that measure how serious the condition can be. To be totally blind means zero perception of light and form. There are blind individuals who can discern dark from light but see nothing else. There are also individuals who have a very limited amount of sight but are considered legally blind. There are a variety of blindness causes that may be to blame for vision loss. For some blindness is a condition that exists since birth, for others it is a condition that occurs during childhood or adulthood as the result of a disease, disorder or injury.


There are also various causes of sudden onset and temporary blindness, including neurological and cardiological factors. Also, there are certain medications such as those used for erectile issues that may lead to sudden but temporary loss of vision in men who fit a certain risk profile. There are more than 1.3 Americans who fit the definition of legally blind. Because of this high number there are many resources for these individuals including associations, organizations, schools and service animals.

When it comes to what leads to this visual impairment problem, cataracts tops the list as a main cause. Glaucoma, uveitis and macular degeneration due to aging are all commonly reported causes of blindness. Also reported is corneal opacity and diabetic retinopathy as potential causes. In countries where parasitic infection is common blindness can be caused by this or even by malnutrition. This is why residents of third world countries, including children, have higher rates of blindness caused by something that could be easily treated in the U.S. The World Health Organization reports that there are more than 161 million sight impaired individuals across the globe.

In order to understand blindness causes more thoroughly speak to your physician or eye doctor. If you experience sudden blindness or temporary blindness, seek emergency medical care immediately. If you feel your eyesight is getting worse gradually, this is also a problem that must be addressed. At your annual eye exam your optometrist will examine your vision and see if it has changed since your last appointment. There are treatments and aids for individuals experiencing sight loss. You should not have to suffer with deteriorating vision, nor should you ignore any sight-related symptoms.


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Blindness News:

 

Braille ballot to help visually impaired cast their vote - Daily Pioneer

Braille ballot to help visually impaired cast their vote
Daily Pioneer
Ballot papers in Braille for the blind are being printed at the Chandigarh's National Institute for Blind. Earlier, there were apprehensions that blinded by greed, those accompanying them would put the stamp of approval on the candidate of their choice .
Five things about Braille Literacy MonthWaynesboro Record Herald
Ec providing ballot papers in BrailleDay & Night News
Special ballots being prepared for the blindIndian Express
Times of India
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Blind Students to Participate in Braille Challenge - Twin Falls Times-News

Blind Students to Participate in Braille Challenge
Twin Falls Times-News
GOODING EUR˘ Blind and visually-impaired students from around the state will meet in Gooding to test their Braille skills during an academic competition next week. The Idaho Braille Challenge will take place from 10 am-3:30 pm Feb.

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Mass. Eye and Ear awarded $150,000 grant from Research to Prevent Blindness
( Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary ) Research to Prevent Blindness has granted Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary cornea specialist James Chodosh, M.D., M.P.H., a $150,000 Senior Scientific Investigator Award. RPB Senior Scientific Investigator Awards support nationally recognized scientists conducting eye research at medical institutions in the United States...


Burger chain courts blind diners with sesame seed Braille on buns - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

Burger chain courts blind diners with sesame seed Braille on buns
Los Angeles Times
By Tiffany Hsu In South Africa, restaurant chain Wimpy is welcoming blind customers -- by serving them burgers with words in Braille spelled out on their buns with sesame seeds. In a viral YouTube video promoting its in-store Braille menus, .
Braille Burger Buns, Or, How to Tap the Blind Social MediaLA Weekly (blog)
Wimpy burgers makes braille bunsBaltimore Sun
Fast Food Chain Wimpy Lets the Blind 'See' Food with Braille Burgers [VIDEO]Bangstyle
UPI.com -National Post (blog) -GlobalPost (blog)
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Stem cells treat blindness
EMBRYONIC stem cells have been used in humans to treat the most common cause of blindness...


FSDB students masters of braille - St. Augustine Record

FSDB students masters of braille
St. Augustine Record
Esmeralda Sanchez Diaz, left, competes in the varsity level of the Braille Challenge during the 2012 preliminary at the Florida School for The Deaf and The Blind on Thursday, January 19, 2012. BY DARON DEAN, daron.dean@staugustine.com By MARCIA LANE .
There is a wonder in reading Braille that the sighted will never know: to .Columbia Star

all 2 news articles »
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Blind Students Test Their Braille Skills - 13WMAZ

Blind Students Test Their Braille Skills
13WMAZ
The Braille Challenge is a national program that serves the blind and visually impaired children. It's a literacy competition designed to challenge and reward blind students for the knowledge of braille. The competition is open to 1st through 12th .
Braille challengeNewsworks.org

all 2 news articles »
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Blindness doesnt hold Layton mother back
LAYTON EUR” Barbie Elliott, 42, has never seen the keys on a piano, words on a page, or the smile on a childs face. Despite these visual limitations, Elliott plays the piano expertly EUR” by ear. She has a bachelors degree in music composition, is a leader in the blind community, and a stay-at-home mom of four children, all with their sight. EURśEverything Ive wanted to do, Ive found a way to ...


Study shows 50% reduction in blindness and severe visual loss in Denmark
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most frequent cause of blindness in the Western World. A report from the University of Copenhagen and Glostrup Hospital in Denmark published today shows the number of new cases of blindness and severe visual loss in Denmark has been halved during the last ten years...


Lind: Blind Fargo hunter bags alligator in Florida Everglades - In-Forum

Lind: Blind Fargo hunter bags alligator in Florida Everglades
In-Forum
Carey could tell by his Braille watch they'd been gone for about an hour. He worried. Were they OK? For that matter, was he? He was alone in a swamp occupied by panthers, poisonous spiders, snakes, mosquitoes and 'gators. To top it off, his cell phone .

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