Blindness still affects 39 million people worldwide despite the medical advancement in today's generation. Knowing the leading causes of blindness may help a person avoid such dreaded visual impairment.

The number cause of blindness as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) remains to be a cataract. Common symptoms of the disease involve blurry vision, colors that seem faded, glare, double vision, and frequent prescription changes in your eyewear, according to NIH MedlinePlus.

Like Us on Facebook

Following cataract as leading cause of blindness would be glaucoma. Such disease damages the optic nerves in the eyes, which typically happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes gradually rises.

It is estimated that 2.3 million Americans are suffering from glaucoma. Moreover, another 2 million individuals are not aware that they have such disease.

Such disease is four times more frequent among African Americans and Hispanics. Aside from ethnicity, people whose family has a history of glaucoma are more likely to be at risk. It would normally manifest when a person reaches the age of 45 and 64.

The third leading cause of blindness would be macular degeneration or sometimes called as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is considered as the leading cause of the loss of vision among Americans reaching the age of 60 and up.

Such disease destroys the sharp and central vision necessary to see objects precisely. Therefore affecting a person's ability to read, drive, watch television and perform simple daily routines.

Lastly, for those who have diabetes, diabetic retinopathy may be possible to happen. It affects the retina and light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A complete eye examination is often advised for individuals suffering from diabetes.

Knowing the leading causes of blindness is of great importance. Through such knowledge, one may be able to detect early a potential threat to his vision. Thus, avoiding visual impairment and even blindness. 

Watch here below ways to prevent cataract: