Do you ever wonder why eyesight deteriorates? Loss of sight is often the result of a problem with the eye’s cornea, lens, retina, or the optic nerve. And, while it’s more commonly experienced as we age, there are a number of diseases and eye conditions that can affect anyone at any age.
To find out more about how our eyes work and what causes our eyesight to deteriorate, read on.
Your cornea, the eye’s outermost layer, is integral to the reception of the images you see. It functions as a camera lens, taking in light and bending or refracting that light onto our eyes’ lens. It is made up of a film of tears that helps maintain it’s precise optics and keeps it nourished. Anything that disrupts this film can lead to a disruption of the image we see. And as we age, we are more susceptible to dry eyes, as well as inflammatory conditions that can impact this coating and lead to distorted and blurry vision. Corneal dystrophies and diseases such as Ocular Herpes, ICE, and Pterygium, can also affect the cornea, diminishing our eyesight.
Impacts To The Lens
The lens is the part of the eye that receives the incoming light from the cornea and focuses it on the retina. Over time, the lens can change its shape that impacts the ability to focus on images near or far. It is also subject to cataracts and presbyopia which can deteriorate our vision. When cataracts begin to develop, a cloud-like film forms over the lens, diminishing the vision. If presbyopia develops, the lens will harden on a fixed distance, making it harder to see either up close or far away.
A film on the back of the eye called the retina, converts the light received from the lens to a neural signal for the brain. It works in tandem with the optic nerve that acts to carry the signal directly to the brain for interpretation. Retina disorders affect the complex tissue that can impact our vision and can even cause blindness. The most serious diseases like macular degeneration, impact the retina and can destroy your sharp vision, while cancer of the retina, called retinoblastoma, can cause severe damage and is most commonly seen in young children.
Optic Nerve Damage
This nerve is responsible for carrying the signals to the visual cortex in the brain, which is necessary to interpret the image. Brain tumours or strokes that significantly affects the nerve causes the majority of sight loss of the optic nerve. Optic nerve disorders can also be caused by blood supply blockages, inflammation, and more commonly, glaucoma.
As you can see, there are many reasons why our eyesight deteriorates. But early detection of any eye problems can often prevent vision loss. New therapies are also available to improve diminished sight. If you or a loved one needs corrective lenses or eyeglasses to help correct a sight condition, visit us at Laurier Optical. Our team of professionals are ready to assist you with all your eyewear needs!