Vision loss can, in most cases, be avoided because the situations that lead to progressive vision loss are easily controlled by changing eating habits, wearing sunglasses and routine eye exams, which can identify any eye problem still in the initial phase, which can be treated and vision preserved.
Diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, for example, can be easily avoided by controlling blood glucose and wearing sunglasses, respectively. In addition, it is recommended that periodic consultations are made with the ophthalmologist, especially if there is a history of vision loss in the family, especially when there is a history of glaucoma and cataracts.
The main causes of vision loss are:
1. Cataract
Cataracts are characterized by the aging of the lens of the eye, resulting in blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light and progressive loss of vision and can happen throughout life or shortly after birth. Cataracts can arise due to various situations, such as the use of corticosteroid medications, blows to the eye or head, eye infections and aging.
Although it can lead to loss of vision, cataracts are completely reversible through surgery, in which the lens of the eye is replaced by an ocular lens. The performance of the surgery does not depend on the person's age, but on the degree of impaired vision. Find out how cataract surgery is done and what the post-operative is like.
How to avoid: Cataracts are a difficult disease to avoid, not least because the child can already be born with changes in the lens of the eye. However, it is important to go to the ophthalmologist for tests that can identify any vision problem, especially when there are symptoms of eye infection or if the person has diabetes, myopia, hypothyroidism or overuse of medications, for example.
2. Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration, also known as retinal degeneration, is a disease characterized by damage and wear to the retina, resulting in the gradual loss of the ability to see objects clearly and the appearance of a dark area in the center of vision. This disease is usually related to age, being more common from the age of 50, but it can also happen in people who have a family history, have nutritional deficiencies, are frequently exposed to ultraviolet light or have hypertension, for example.
How to avoid: To prevent retinal degeneration, it is important to have healthy eating habits, avoid smoking and wear sunglasses to protect from ultraviolet rays, in addition to going to the ophthalmologist regularly if you have symptoms or family history.
In some cases, according to the degree of evolution of the disease, the doctor may recommend laser treatment, oral or intraocular medications, such as Ranibizumab or Aflibercept, for example. Find out more details of the treatment for macular degeneration.
3. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a chronic disease that can lead to progressive loss of vision due to the death of optic nerve cells. Glaucoma is a silent disease, so it is important to pay attention to the appearance of some symptoms, especially if there is a family history of glaucoma, such as decreased field of vision, eye pain, blurred or blurred vision, severe headache, nausea and vomiting.
How to avoid: Although there is no cure, loss of vision due to glaucoma can be prevented by measuring eye pressure in routine eye exams. Usually, when it is verified that the pressure in the eye is high, it is necessary to carry out a series of eye exams to make the diagnosis of the disease and, thus, prevent progression. See which tests identify glaucoma.
Treatment for glaucoma should be recommended by the ophthalmologist according to the degree of ocular involvement, and the use of eye drops, medication, laser treatment or surgery may be recommended, which is indicated only when the other treatment options do not have the desired effect..
4. Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a consequence of elevated blood glucose levels, being more common in people with type 1 diabetes and who do not have adequate diabetes control. Excessive blood sugar can result in progressive damage to the retina and blood vessels that irrigate the eyes, resulting in blurred vision, the presence of dark spots in the vision and progressive loss of vision.
Diabetic retinopathy can be classified according to the extent of the lesion in the eye, being the most severe form called proliferative diabetic retinopathy, which is characterized by the appearance and rupture of more fragile vessels in the eyes, with hemorrhage, retinal detachment and blindness.
How to avoid: Diabetic retinopathy can be avoided by controlling the blood glucose that must be performed by diabetic patients according to the guidance of the endocrinologist. In addition, it is important for diabetic people to undergo annual eye exams so that any eye changes can be identified early and can be reversed.
In the case of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the ophthalmologist may recommend performing surgical procedures to eliminate new vessels formed in the eye or stop bleeding, for example. However, it is necessary that the person follows the guidelines of the endocrinologist for diabetes control.
5. Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment, which is characterized when the retina is not in its correct position, is a situation that needs to be treated immediately so that complete vision loss does not occur. This situation can happen due to a very strong blow to the eye or head, or due to diseases or inflammatory processes, causing part of the retina to have insufficient supply of blood and oxygen, which can result in death of the ocular tissue and, consequently, blindness.
Retinal detachment is more frequent in people over 50 years old or who have been hit in the head very hard and can be noticed through the appearance of small dark spots in the field of vision, flashes of light that appear suddenly, discomfort in the very blurred eye and vision, for example.
How to avoid: To avoid detachment of the retina, it is recommended that people over 50 or who have suffered some type of accident or have diabetes, for example, have regular eye exams so that the doctor can check if the retina is in the correct position.
If a change in position is perceived, surgery is necessary to solve this problem and avoid blindness. Surgery is the only form of treatment for retinal detachment and the type of surgery depends on the severity of the situation, which can be performed by laser, cryopexy or injection of air or gas into the eye. Know the indication for each type of surgery.
