Blindness Dr Rob Hicks A person who is blind has a high degree of vision loss. Only about 18 per cent of blind people are totally blind - most can distinguish between light and dark. When someone is partially sighted, they have a less severe loss of vision.

In this article

How does it affect people? What causes it?

Can it be prevented? Advice and support

Blindness can cause difficulty with everyday tasks such as cooking, dressing, reading and writing, shopping and going for a walk.

The risk of physical and social isolation is greater for people who are blind or partially sighted as it can be difficult to get out and make new friends. Blindness can also be an expensive condition because of the cost of special equipment.

Accidents and disease are often responsible for blindness, while some people are born blind or partially sighted.

Common causes include age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Having an eye test at least every two years can help to detect problems that may need treatment before any permanent damage has been done.

Some conditions, such as glaucoma and cataracts, can be treated to help preserve vision.

It's important to wear protective eyewear in situations where accidental eye damage may occur, for example, at work, when playing sport or doing DIY.

Royal National Institute for the Blind

Helpline: 0845 766 9999
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.rnib.org.uk

Macular Disease Society

Helpline: 0845 241 2041
Email: help@maculardisease.org
Website: www.maculardisease.org

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in November 2007