More than meets the eye is at play for blindness, from brain-based illnesses to ocular abnormalities.
In the autumn, a Perkins volunteer walked two visually challenged kids outdoors.
Most people conceive of someone who is blind as simply being unable to see. When it comes to blindness, things are more complicated. Blindness and visual impairments come in a wide variety of forms.
People who are blind may either see nothing at all or things that are pretty near to them. In some instances, vision loss may occur as early as infancy. It is possible to go blind due to an issue with the eye or a brain condition.
You, your parents, a friend, your kid, or anybody else may be affected by various forms of blindness. Educate yourself about multiple forms of blindness.
Different Types Of Eye Blindness In Humans
CVI
Children’s blindness is most often caused by cortical/cerebral visual impairment (CVI). CVI differs from other types of visual impairment in that it affects the brain rather than the eyes, and another kind of vision loss often accompanies it.
As a result, persons with this condition have difficulty interpreting what their healthy eyes can tell them. For a youngster with CVI, the world may seem to be a kaleidoscopic jumble of hues.
CVI is now the leading cause of childhood blindness in the United States. There aren’t enough teachers and doctors who can see problems and take action. As a result, many children are losing out on the chance to grow and succeed.
Working with a CVI kid and their family under the guidance of a professionally qualified educator may have a significant positive impact on the child’s life. Helping the youngster regain some of their eyesight is also an option.
Retinitis Pigmentosa
According to the National Library of Medicine, as many as one in 4,000 persons in the United States and Europe are affected by retinitis pigmentosa.
It is common for people with this eye disorder to have problems seeing at night and lose their peripheral vision owing to the slow destruction of retinal cells. Most children are affected in their early years, although it may progress to complete blindness if left untreated.
Read More: What are the most common eye diseases in humans?
The symptoms and diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa are discussed in this article. Begin here for an introduction.
It is critical for anyone diagnosed with this ailment to understand the disease’s consequences and course to maximize the quality of life.
Macular Degeneration
Another common type of vision loss, macular degeneration, affects an estimated 10 million Americans.
Although there are other varieties of dry macular degeneration, the most prevalent is known as this disorder. Adults often have this kind of vision loss, which impairs one’s ability to see well in the center of vision.
There are striking similarities between macular degeneration and a disease known as Stargardt Syndrome, which occurs most often in youngsters.
Retinopathy of Prematurity
One of the most common eye diseases in preterm infants is retinopathy of prematurity. When blood vessels in the eye leak or bleed, scarring of the eye and retinal detachment are the first signs of this condition. There is no cure for this illness, and infants born with it generally have no or very little vision.
Retinopathy of prematurity may present itself at delivery, although it is impossible to identify without an eye exam. Persons with this diagnosis can achieve their objectives despite the visual loss. Take a look at this story about young individuals who are blind because of retinopathy of prematurity.
There is a broad range of vision impairment and blindness in the human population. Vision loss may take many forms and manifest itself differently in various people depending on their age and stage of life.
Read More: Why do my eyes turn bright green when I cry? – FAQs
Genetics, cancer, difficulty in birth, or other conditions identified later in life may all lead to various forms of blindness. Regardless of the origin or symptoms, persons with all forms of blindness may lead entire lives with the correct modifications, aid, and resources.
A friend or family member who is blind or visually impaired can benefit much from doing some research and asking the correct questions.
It’s never too late to get help from the Perkins School for the Blind. We provide a comprehensive range of educational and support programs and resources for children and young people with blindness on our campus and in public schools.
