Conditions That Can Cause Blind Eyes

Blind is the inability of a person to see anything, even light. Blind eye can be caused by genetic factors, aka passed on from parent to child, accident, or disease. This condition afflicts around 32 million people worldwide, and 1 million of them are in Indonesia. In developing countries like Indonesia, the main causes of blind eyes are infection, cataracts, glaucoma, injuries, and the inability to buy glasses. In addition, diabetic patients are also prone to become blind.

Various Diseases That Can Cause Blind Eyes

Here are some conditions that can cause blind eyes, namely:

• Cataract

Cataract is a disease in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy to make vision unclear. Most cataracts are caused by the aging process, but sometimes children are born with cataracts. In addition, cataracts are also more at risk due to eye injuries, inflammation, and in certain diseases, such as diabetes. Until now, there has been no proven effective way to prevent cataracts from happening. However, reducing smoking and exposure to ultraviolet light is thought to be able to delay the development of cataracts. Cataract disease that is not too severe can be overcome by taking medication or wearing glasses. If the vision limitations are getting worse to interfere with daily life, then cataract surgery is done.

• Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease caused by increased pressure inside the eyeball, which causes damage to the eye nerves, and will get worse over time. Glaucoma tends to be passed down in the family and may only appear when a person gets older. The disease that can cause blind eyes has symptoms in the form of red eyes, seeing halos around lights, eye pain, blurred vision, especially in the periphery, nausea or vomiting, and reduced visual field. However, glaucoma can also show no signs of anything. Prevention of glaucoma is unknown. While the treatment, can be in the form of eye drops, laser surgery, or micro surgery.

• Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus can also make the eyes go blind, if there is a complication called diabetic retinopathy. Blood sugar levels that are too high will damage the blood vessels in the back layer of the eye, the area most sensitive to light stimuli. As a result, the retina cannot receive the nutrition needed to maintain vision. Mild or moderate diabetic retinopathy does not require immediate treatment. But sometimes, doctors can recommend treatment with a laser or with vitrectomy, which is the removal of blood clots or scar tissue that is in the body of the eyeball (vitreous).

• Keratitis

This condition is a disorder of the cornea due to inflammation. Keratitis can be caused by eye injury, infection, or eye irritation. Symptoms can be red and watery eyes, impaired vision, and sensitive to light. If not treated immediately, this disease risks causing permanent eye damage that can cause blindness.

• Trachoma

Trachoma is a bacterial infection of Chlamydia trachomatis which can affect vision ability. This infection spreads through fluid from the eyes and nose, or uses items that are used by infected patients. For example handkerchiefs, towels, or clothes. Flies can also spread the infected liquid to other people. Trachoma has symptoms such as mild irritation to the eyes, discharge of pus and / or eye discharge, blurred vision, eye pain, eyes sensitive to light, and itching.

To maintain eye health, it is important to live a healthy lifestyle and regularly see an eye doctor every year. If you suddenly experience a disorder in vision that can not see or blind, immediately go to the emergency department or consult an eye doctor. Blind eye treatment needs to be done immediately, so that the chance of returning your vision can be greater.