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Vision impairment means that a person's eyesight cannot be recovered to a "normal" level.  Vision impairment may be caused by a loss of visual acuity; it may also be caused by a loss of visual field. Some people are also born with low vision.
The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness include:
» Age-related Macular Degeneration

AMD is a progressive condition that targets the macula. As a result, people with AMD experience a loss of sight to their central vision and rely on their peripheral vision to see. AMD is highly unlikely to lead to total blindness as the peripheral vision is never affected. It is the most common cause of low vision in people over 60 years of age.

» Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that affects the optic nerve of the eye; 95% of all diagnosed cases of glaucoma is caused by Open angled. Elevated pressure in the eye can lead to glaucoma although not exclusively.

» Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of this natural lens. This means vision becomes cloudy and both central and peripheral vision becomes blurred. The main cause of cataracts is ageing and it is the leading cause of vision loss among the over 55 age bracket. Diseases such as diabetes, eye injuries and different types of medications may also cause cataracts.

» Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy is a result of diabetes and affects the retina part of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy causes the blood vessels of the eyes to become blocked and can result in vision loss and blindness.