Blindness

How does blindness affect people?

When someone is partially sighted, they have a less severe loss of vision. Blindness can cause difficulty with almost every aspect of life, especially everyday tasks such as cooking, dressing, reading and writing, shopping and going for a walk.

Visual problems may also cause huge problems for children at school. However, although baby’s eyes are tested, many schoolchildren don’t have regular sight tests even though some eye conditions set in as the child grows. As a result children may strain to see, read or contribute in class and their progress may be limited by undetected visual problems.

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.

Causes of blindness

Many different things can damage sight. Accidents and disease are often responsible for blindness, while some people are born blind or partially sighted because of genetic or developmental disorders.

Common causes in adults include age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. While not causing blindness, common visual problems such as short-sightedness, squints or long sight may give a child particular problems at school.

Preventing blindness

Some causes of blindness can’t be prevented but there are things that you can do to reduce some of the risks.

For example, you should have an eye test at least every two years to detect problems that may need treatment before any permanent damage has been done.

If you develop problems with your sight, or symptoms of eye disease such as pain, visual changes or a discharge, then get urgent medical advice.

If you have a condition such as diabetes, glaucoma and cataracts which are known to damage sight then it is especially important to look after your eyes. Treatment may help to preserve vision.

Most sight loss in diabetes is preventable but waiting until vision has deteriorated before seeking help may be leaving things too late. Although their vision may seem fine, people with diabetes can unknowingly develop changes in the retina which can cause permanent damage if not treated. So people with diabetes are advised to have annual eye tests, which are free for them.

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.

If you wear contact lenses then you should scrupulously follow instructions for their use, including good hygiene in handling the lenses, and seek urgent medical advice if you develop any problems.

Advice and support

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