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Blindness

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Illustrations

Neurofibromatosis I, enlarged optic foramen
Neurofibromatosis I, enlarged optic foramen

Alternative Names    Return to top

Loss of vision

Definition    Return to top

Blindness is a lack of vision. It may also refer to a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

People with vision worse than 20/200 are considered legally blind in most states in the United States.

Causes    Return to top

Blindness has many causes. In the United States, the leading causes are diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and accidents (such as chemical burns or sports injuries).

Worldwide, the leading causes of blindness are cataracts, onchocerciasis (river blindness), trachoma, leprosy, and vitamin A deficiency.

Other causes include:

Home Care    Return to top

It is important for a blind person to be able to dress, eat, function independently, and stay safe. Many services are available that provide the training and support that allow blind people to function independently.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Sudden vision loss is always an emergency, even you have not completely lost all vision. You should never ignore loss of vision, thinking it will get better.

Contact an ophthalmologist or go to the emergency room immediately. Most serious forms of vision loss are painless, and the absence of pain in no way diminishes the urgent need to get medical care. Many forms of vision loss only give you a short amount of time to be successfully treated.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit    Return to top

A complete and thorough eye examination will be performed. The treatment plan will depend on the cause.

Update Date: 8/22/2008

Updated by: Paul B. Griggs, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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