Low vision could be defined as a condition wherein an individual experiences partial loss of sight or sight that isn’t fully correctable with glasses, contact lenses, or medications. This event is above the usual loss of vision that occurs with aging; it can impact people of all ages.
The Present Stats of Low-Vision Patients in India
Today, more than 35 million persons are visually -impaired in India and this makes it an important event in eye care treatment. This can be reduced once the initial disease stage of blindness is checked correctly. The most prevalent causes of blindness are cataracts and refractive errors, and a significant contributor to the visually impaired population.
Looking at the ongoing rate of impaired vision, there have been essential expansions in blindness prevention, management, and governance since the “Vision 2020: The Right to Sight” initiative was implemented.
In India, around 33.8% of males and around 40% of females have visual impairment wherein visual acuity is worse than 20/80. Meghalaya (59.5%) has the highest cases of visual impairment among older males, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (58.4%) and Tripura (45.2%).
20/80″ indicates the eye notices at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 80 feet. As the population of older adults will increase due to increase in life expectancy, it is bound to increase the vision loss numbers too.
Category of Low Vision Types as Per National Health Institute
National Health Institute – is a vital body for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is considered the world nation’s most renowned medical research agency, making significant findings that can improve health and save lives. They have identified four types of low vision, which may result from various eye diseases or disorders.
- Peripheral vision loss. It is a vision loss when someone cannot see out the corners of your eyes.
- Central vision loss. It is a type of vision loss wherein the individual cannot see the center-placed objects, and all the facades seem like blurry clumps in the middle with more precise details on the exterior.
- Night blindness. When a person cannot see in twilight or low-light situations like driving a car at night, it becomes challenging or impossible because he cannot see the roadway markings.
- Blurry or hazy vision. When details of objects or printed words appear blurry or cloudy, you cannot make out letters (tiny print).
Causes of low vision
People of any age can suffer from low vision problems as it can erupt from different conditions and injuries. Low vision mainly results in either eye or brain injury during an accident episode, but this is more prevalent in adults above the age of 45 and primarily seen in adults over the age of 75.
Below are some other contributors that may lead to conditions causing low vision:
- AMD, is age-related macular degeneration and a progressive eye disorder. The disease affects the eye’s macula or the central area of the retina, where our most sensitive central vision appears. The light-sensitive cells in the macula thin out and eventually die. Therefore individuals suffering from age-related macular degeneration experience a blurred or darkened spot at the center of the field of vision.
- Cataracts are a disease that initially causes blurred vision, initiated by the increased opacity due to lens protein accumulation, resulting in persistent fog and diminished clarity. The standard cataract triggers include aging, diabetes, injury, and the use of cortisone medication.
Glaucoma: In the event of glaucoma, the optic nerve gets damaged responsible for carrying the information from the eye to the brain. Patients suffering from glaucoma experience increased eye pressure. This is because of imbalance found in the fluid produced within the eyes and the amount of fluid drained. This elevated pressure also causes optic nerve fibers to die, ultimately causing vision loss.
Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes intricacy that influences the eyes. It is caused because the light sensitive tissue at the back of the retina having blood vessels gets damaged. Initially diabetic retinopathy might cause no signs which may lead to blindness in later stages.Diabetic retinopathy problems are seen to occur in patients who have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The longer you have diabetes and the blood sugar levels are not in control, the more probability there is for you to develop this eye complication.
What is the Visual Acuity test?
The visual acuity test is a way to select the most miniature letters you can read on a standardized chart, also called the Snellen chart. This card is held 20 feet (6 meters) away while testing a person’s eyesight. Unique charts are used when testing at distances shorter than 20 feet (6 meters).
Low vision leads to significant visual impairment. Individuals with low vision often experience difficulty reading, driving, recognizing faces, or navigating their environment. However, there are varying degrees of blindness, ranging from partial sight to total blindness.
How is Dr Basu Eye hospital contributing towards Ayurveda eye treatment?
Dr Basu eye hospital has been serving people suffering from all types of eye problems without surgery. Starting from cataract, myopia, hypermetropia to glaucoma, the hospital treats all this low vision problem with the Ayurvedic eye treatment with eyedrops and Ay eye tablets especially designed to provide the best cure.
We must also know that to check this low vision, you must have a qualified low vision specialist who can not only educate people but pass on the awareness about low vision and how to control it. On this eve of Low Vision Awareness Month, let’s all try to spread the word about vision repair and how to get more health tips to keep your eyes healthy.
You Can Also Read For More Posts:
Holistic Ayurvedic Solutions for Cataract Management
Ayurvedic tips for maintaining healthy eyesight
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