Mobility Program Information on eye diseases and disorders was obtained at the St. Lukes Eye Clinic Website

Mobility Program Blindness Facts

Mobility Program Macular Degeneration A degenerative condition of the maculamacula (the central retina). It is the most commonretina cause of vision loss in the United States in those 50 or older, and its prevalence increases with age. It is caused by hardening of the arteries that nourish the retina. This deprives the sensitive retinal tissue of oxygen and nutrients that it needs to function and thrive. As a result, the central vision deteriorates.

Mobility Program Patients with wet macular degeneration develop new blood vessels under the retina. This causes hemorrhage, swelling, and scar tissue but it can be treated with laser in some cases. Macular Degeneration

Mobility Program Macular Degeneration Dry macular degeneration, although more common, typically results in a less severe, more gradual loss of vision. It is characterized by drusen and loss of pigment in the retina. Drusen are small, yellowish deposits that form within the layers of the retina. Drusen

Mobility Program Diabetic Retinopathy The effect of diabetes on the eye is called diabetic retinopathy. Over time, diabetes affects the circulatory system of the retina.

Mobility Program The earliest phase of the disease is known as background diabetic retinopathy. In this phase, the arteries in the retina become weakened and leak, forming small, dot-like hemorrhages. The next stage is known as proliferate diabetic retinopathy. In this stage, circulation problems cause areas of the retina to become oxygen-deprived or ischemic. New, fragile, vessels develop as the circulatory system attempts to maintain adequate oxygen levels within the retina. This is called neovascularization. Unfortunately, these delicate vessels hemorrhage easily. Diabetic Retinopathy

Mobility Program When cataracts are mentioned, people often think of a film that grows on their eyes causing them to see double or blurred images. However, a cataract does not form on the eye, but rather within the eye. Cataracts

Mobility Program A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens, the part of the eye responsible for focusing light and producing clear, sharp images. The lens is contained in a sealed bag or capsule. As old cells die they become trapped within the capsule. Over time, the cells accumulate causing the lens to cloud, making images look blurred or fuzzy. For most people, cataracts are a natural result of aging. Cataracts

Mobility Program Glaucoma Glaucoma is a disease caused by increased intraocular pressureintraocular pressure (IOP) resulting either from a malformation or malfunction of the eye’s drainage structureseye’s drainage structures. Left untreated, an elevated IOP causes irreversible damage the optic nerve and retinal fibers resulting inoptic nerve a progressive, permanent loss of vision. However, early detection and treatment can slow, or even halt the progression of the disease.

Mobility Program Glaucoma The above photos show progressive optic nerve damage (indicated by the cup to disc ratio) caused by glaucoma. Notice the pale appearance of the nerve with the 0.9 cup as compared to the nerve with the 0.3 cup.

Mobility Program Retinitis Pigmetosa Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a rare, hereditary disease that causes the rod photoreceptors in the retina to gradually degenerate.retina

The classic sign of RP is clumps of pigment in the peripheral retinal called "bone-spicules." Retinitis Pigmetosa Mobility Program