Disability Research

Cataracts:  imperfections in the clarity of the eye lens that reduce its ability to transmit light. 

Symptoms: Loss of clear vision, typically one eye at a time

Cause:  Aging, diabetes, injury, exposure to x-rays or nuclear radiation, congenital defect

Treatment: Surgery

Diabetes Mellitus: An endocrine disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to autoimmune destruction of insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells or from variable degrees of insulin resistance and deficiency.

Symptoms: Large urine output, excessive thirst, dehydration, low blood pressure, weight loss despite increased appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision

Cause: Genetic and environmental factors

Treatment: Insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs, lifestyle changes (diet modification and exercise)

Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve

Symptoms: Often asymptomatic; eye pressure; slow progression toward blindness; at times, pain, nausea, vomiting, severe headaches. 

Cause: Congenital or hereditary factors; anatomic factors (smaller eye length, shallower anterior chambers); drugs; tumor; trauma; inflammation

Treatment: eye drops, ointments, pills, and surgery using both incisions and lasers

Macular degeneration: A degenerative disease of the central portion of the retina that results primarily in loss of central vision

Symptoms: Dependent on form; can include blurred or distorted central vision, bleeding within and beneath retina, development of scar tissue, eventual blindness

Cause: Unclear; possibly aging, genetic factors, nutrition, smoking, sunlight exposure 

Treatment: Vision aids (e.g., magnifying glasses, special lenses, electronic systems); laser photocoagulation; surgery; low-level radiation; injection of photosensitive chemicals into bloodstream

Nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism.

Cause: The cornea-lens focusing system of the eye bends light rays either too much or too little resulting in a blurred image.

Treatment: eyeglasses or contact lenses. 

Trachoma: Contagious infection of the eyelid similar to conjunctivitis (commonly known as pinkeye).

Symptoms: Red, painful, and sticky eyes; irritation to underside of eyelid; turning in of eyelid and eyelashes with corneal damage; eventual blindness untreated, it causes scarring of the cornea and eventual blindness.

Cause: Chlamydia trachomatia bacteria, It is carried primarily by children throughout the developing world, where water is scarce and washing is difficult. 

Treatment: Tetracycline eye ointment, face cleansing, surgery if prolonged