Question

What are the common causes of blindness in various age groups?

Hint:

In children, cataract, refractive errors, and ROP are common causes of blindness, while in adults and the elderly, cataract, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy are more prevalent.

Answer 1

Step 1: Common Causes of Blindness in Various Age Groups.
(1) In Children (0-14 Years):
- Cataract: Congenital cataracts are one of the leading causes of childhood blindness.
- Refractive Errors: Uncorrected refractive errors (e.g., myopia, hyperopi can lead to amblyopia and blindness if not addressed early.
- Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): This condition occurs in premature infants and can cause blindness if untreated.
- Glaucoma: Congenital glaucoma can lead to blindness in infants and young children.
- Infections: Vitamin A deficiency, measles, and ocular infections such as trachoma and onchocerciasis can lead to blindness in children.
(2) In Adults (15-49 Years):
- Refractive Errors: Uncorrected refractive errors continue to be a major cause of visual impairment.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: In individuals with diabetes, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness if not properly managed.
- Trauma: Eye injuries and trauma can lead to vision loss, especially in working-age adults.
- Glaucoma: Primary open-angle glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in adults, often due to the slow progression of the disease.
- Cataract: Cataracts can develop in adults, particularly older adults, and lead to blindness if untreated.
(3) In Older Adults (50+ Years):
- Cataract: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in elderly individuals, as it progresses with aging.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AM: AMD is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly, primarily affecting central vision.
- Glaucoma: As individuals age, the risk of glaucoma increases, which can lead to blindness if not managed.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Older adults with a long history of diabetes are at higher risk for vision impairment and blindness due to diabetic retinopathy.