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Eye Conditions

Worldwide, there are around 160 million people who are visually impaired and have some degree of low vision. Low vision is often characterized by partial sight, such as blurred vision, distorted vision, shadows, blind spots or tunnel vision, but the term also includes legal blindness. If you are affected by an eye condition such as Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration or Retinitis Pigmentosa, you can still live independently if you are supported by low vision aids.

Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration is a medical condition often associated with aging (also referred to as “age-related Macular Degeneration”) that results in a loss of vision in the centre of your visual field. Central vision helps us to see objects clearly and perform tasks such as reading and driving.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition in which the optic nerve is damaged, causing vision loss. The optic nerve is located at the back of the eye and transmits the images we see to the brain for interpretation. Glaucoma results in progressive damage to the optic nerve, which almost always begins with a subtle loss of peripheral (side) vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic Retinopathy is a complication brought on by diabetes where the retina, the lightsensitive tissue that lines the inner surface of the eye, is damaged. Diabetes causes abnormal changes in the body’s blood sugar levels. High levels of blood sugar can alter the blood flow to the body’s organs, including the eyes.

Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. Our eyes’ lens is mainly made up of water and protein. The proteins are arranged in such a way that the lens stays clean and light is able to pass through. As we grow older, some of these proteins may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis Pigmentosa is a group of genetic eye conditions causing progressive degeneration of the retina, the light sensitive layer of tissue lining the back of the eye. The light receptors of the retina are called rods and cones. As a result of Retinitis Pigmentosa the rods, and in a later stage the cones, slowly die, causing reduced vision.

Blindness

Blindness is the state of being sightless. A blind individual is unable to see. Some may have a limited ability to see objects using special aids or may be able to perceive light or a light source. All people who are blind experience sightlessness to various degrees. Blindness can be the result of a variety of causes.

Choroideremia

Choroideremia is a genetic condition that causes progressive loss of vision due to degeneration of the retina and the choroid. Night blindness is the most common first symptom. As the disease progresses, there is loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision) and later a loss of central vision.

Strabismus

Strabismus is an eye condition in which the eyes are not aligned properly and point in different directions. One eye may look straight ahead, while the other may turn inward, outward, downward or upward. The manner in which the eye turns may be consistent or it may vary. Which eye is straight and which eye turns may also differ.

Ocular Tumors

Ocular tumors are tumors inside the eye. They do not occur frequently, but when they do, they will often grow on the coloured part of the eye, called the iris, or in the back of the eye. Left untreated, ocular tumors can not only threaten your vision, but also your life.

Nystagmus

Nystagmus is an uncontrolled and involuntary movement of the eyes. The movement is often side to side (horizontal) but it can also be up and down (vertical) or circular (rotary). The movement can vary between slow and fast and almost always involves both eyes.