Eye-related diseases are more common than you think- and clear-cut symptoms rarely show, until it’s too late. We’re often told to expect the unexpected, but how can we see the unseen danger? In light of May as Healthy Vision Month, it is crucial to understand the reasons behind the diseases that can lead to vision loss and blindness.
Our eyes work hard day-in and day-out, but most people have no idea what is actually going on behind the lens. Eye awareness and care are crucial to keeping high-quality eyesight. Unsurprisingly, when we don’t take proper care of our eyes, they begin to reflect the neglect.
根据2017年发表在《全球研究Lancet by The Vision Loss Expert Group (VLEG), 36 million people were blind and 216.6 million were visually impaired in 2015. Vision loss and blindness can result from various eye-diseases, but there are four that remain most prevalent. According to the report, approximately 8.4 million individuals have advanced age-related macular degeneration, 6.9 million have glaucoma, 2.6 million have diabetic retinopathy, and 65.2 million have cataracts. If these statistics and terms make your eyes widen in confusion, you’re not alone. Let’s delve into what each really means.
年龄相关的黄斑变性(AMD)发生视网膜的中心层,称为黄斑,劣化。黄斑控制我们阅读,驱动,识别面孔和细节的能力。AMD只影响你眼中的中心,所以你的外围(或侧面)愿景没有受到伤害。然而,这种疾病是渐进的 - 它随着时间的推移而变得更糟,目前无法治疗。它通常在50岁和常规吸烟者中看到高加索人。
Glaucomais a disease that damages the optic nerve, which is how the brain gets visual information from your eyes. Most often, glaucoma is caused by increased pressure inside your eye, but there aren’t many symptoms. It is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, and as you age, your risk increases. People of color have an even higher risk of developing this disease, as well as those with existing eye issues like chronic inflammation.
Diabetic Retinopathy,就像名称一样,是由于糖尿病或高血糖水平。过量的糖实际上负责损害视网膜中的血管。当留下未经处理的时候,它是美国失明的最常见原因之一。有不同程度和类型,但症状仍然存在:看到黑斑,视力模糊,视力丧失,夜间困难,难以看到颜色。对于中等血糖,血压和胆固醇来说至关重要,特别是当糖尿病时。
Cataracts是密集的,多云的区域,在眼睛的镜片中随着时间的推移而发展。这是蛋白质聚集在一起并干扰视网膜的光处理的结果。白内障可能发生在一个或两个眼中,并且在老年人中最常见,但有时甚至婴儿都是天生的。白内障类型由他们的发展方式分类。据估计,至少有一半的美国人在80岁时接受白内障的手术。危险因素包括但不限于接触辐射,紫外线,肥胖,吸烟和长期类固醇使用。
据预测,到2020年,刊物特色的数量duals with severe vision loss and blindness will increase substantially worldwide. The VLEG report also states that the causes behind 77{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} of vision loss and 55{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} of blindness can be prevented with surgery and/or glasses. The majority of people fear going blind more than they fear losing a limb or getting cancer (the American Foundation for the Blind), so why is vision loss rising rampantly?
Don’t let a lack of symptoms fool you- see the unseen danger. The only way to screen for early signs of age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts, is to visit an eye doctor. Take the necessary precautions and be wise when it comes to your eyes. A healthy lifestyle and a yearly eye exam can do a world of difference – let’s open our eyes… after all, they’re worth it.