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- AMD is a condition affecting the macula, the central part of the retina which enables the precise vision so vital for reading, writing and the recognition of details. It leaves only the peripheral or lateral vision intact.
Although this disease occurs with age, its exact causes are only partially understood. Risk factors in AMD include heredity and smoking.
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- Retinitis pigmentosa leads to a progressive loss in peripheral vision. This is the most frequent cause of blindness in middle aged patients in developed countries.
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- A cataract occurs when the crystalline lens opacifies, which prevents light from passing through. Vision gets blurred, the perception of colors is dulled, and the eye becomes very sensitive to light.
Cataract is one of the leading causes of visual impairment in the world, which generally appear in persons aged over 60 due to ageing of the eye, but may also affect young children (congenital cataracts).
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- Glaucoma alters the field of vision, particularly peripheral and lateral vision. Glaucoma is often associated with an increase of pressure within the eye.
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- Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in adults. It is a degenerative disease which affects sufferers of diabetes. It occurs when excess sugar in the blood damages the vessels supplying the retina with nutrients and oxygen.
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