Blind or Partially Sighted

The world's population is aging and people are living longer, but blindness from chronic conditions is also rising, according to the World Health Organization. About 80 percent of the world's 45 million blind people are aged over 50 years. About 90 percent of blind people live in low-income countries, where older people, especially older women, face barriers to getting the necessary eye health care. In Canada, over one million people are currently living with blindness or partial sight, according to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind - and they say that number has the potential to double over the next 25 years as the baby boomer population ages. Statistics show that the major reason for vision loss in Canada is related to conditions associated with an aging population. Add to this, the growing number of people with diabetes, as this too is contributing to the increased numbers of people experiencing vision loss as a side effect of diabetes. Macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, edema, dry eye, far-sightedness, astigmatism, turned eye, retinal detachment – name just a few conditions. An individual who is blind or partially sighted might call a helpline for the same reasons anyone else might call, but in this video, presenter Cathy Tufts, provides a focus on reasons why they might call because of their vision loss. She explains this health condition that can affect one’s physical and emotional well-being. Adjusting to sudden or even gradual vision loss can bring on unexpected challenges. It is common to feel scared and confused after someone has been diagnosed with an eye disease. Cathy Tufts, regional manager with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) presents through the video, an overview of vision loss, how it can affect one’s life and the supports available to help. Questions for Further Consideration: 1. Can vision loss be prevented or is there something that can be done to help those with vision loss? Many eye diseases have no early signs or symptoms. They may be painless, and you may see no change in vision until the disease has become quite advanced. This is why regular eye exams are recommended and necessary to detect problems. Many age-related conditions leading to blindness such as cataracts, refractive error and glaucoma, can be easily and cheaply treated or cured. Timely intervention however is important in delaying or reducing their effects on vision. What are some of the most common vision problems? Some Common Eye Conditions: Macular degeneration – Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 65. It’s a condition that affects the center of the retina, called the macula. The macula is the part of the eye responsible for our most acute vision, which we use when reading, driving, and performing other activities that require fine, sharp, or straight-ahead vision. Typically, changes in the macula from AMD are gradual, but in some cases, vision loss is faster and more noticeable. Cataracts – The eye's natural crystalline lens helps us focus on people and things at varying distances. As we grow older this lens often stiffens and hardens and loses its ability to focus, creating vision problems. This condition, for most, is a natural consequence of aging. The changes in the lens can lead to the development of cataracts, or a loss in clarity of the lens. Since the lens is no longer as flexible or as clear as it used to be, the eye can't focus light properly. Diabetic Retinopathy – Diabetic retinopathy affects blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue called the retina that lines the back of the eye. It is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and the leading cause of vision impairment and blindness among working-age adults. Glaucoma - This occurs when a build-up of fluid creates pressure in the eye, which then damages the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for the transmission of information from your eyes to your brain, and damage associated with it can lead to severe vision loss, and in the worst case, blindness. Blindness from glaucoma is preventable, hence a regular comprehensive eye exam including testing for glaucoma is essential. Retinal Detachment - Retinal detachment occurs when the retina becomes separated from the nerve tissues and blood supply underneath it. While painless, visually this has a clouding effect that has been likened to a gray curtain moving across the field of vision. Retinal detachment is a treatable condition, but it must be taken care of promptly, or it can cause vision loss and in the worst cases, blindness. CMV Retinitis – This is an infection that attacks the light-sensing cells in the retina. It is a serious disease that should be diagnosed and treated immediately, because it can lead to loss of vision, and in the worst cases, blindness. It often affects people with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and may also affect people with other immune disorders. What are some of the services that are available in the community to help those experiencing vision loss or partial sight? The CNIB offers a number of supports and services for those with blindness or vision loss. Low vision assessments are available to the community and factual information about various conditions can help put one at ease to some extent. The organization offers independent living skills training so people with vision loss can manage better at home and also independent travel skills for maneuvering in public. This would include how to safely cross an intersection or how to use the subway, for example. Enhancing communication skills through the use of computers or learning Braille are additional tools available for support. The CNIB can also make available a variety of assistive technology devices that can help people adapt to reduced vision. Large print books and audio books are part of the CNIB library resources. The video presentation emphasizes the importance of eye health and care and provides the distress centre call responder with information to help them be more effective when responding on the helplines.