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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What health conditions are associated with blindness?

    • 1 answer
    • Retina Australia (QLD)
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  • Retina Australia (QLD)

    Retina Australia (Queensland) provides peer support, information, awareness and advocacy to people with degenerating sight due to a retinal eye disease. Some examples of retinal … View Profile

    There are many health conditions which are potentially associated with some type of severe vision loss or blindness.

    The more commonly encountered ones include severe and/or uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure),  diabetes and high cholesterol; stroke, anaemia and  aneurysms. 

    Also, tumours affecting the brain or visual pathways may cause vision loss.  Certain tumours elsewhere in the body may be associated with ocular (eye) tumours which may progress to affect vision.

    Severe forms of infection or inflammation in the body may damage eyesight, for example herpes zoster (shingles). 

    Also, raised intracranial pressure and severe vitamin deficiencies can seriously impact on vision.

    Certain congenital (inherited) forms of blindness may present as part of a syndrome, in conjunction with other health defects, for example lung, cardiovascular, renal or skeletal abnormalities or deafness.

    Severe vision loss or blindness associated with health conditions may be gradual or sudden, dependant on the cause.  It may affect one eye or both eyes and the vision loss may be permanent or temporary, again dependant on the cause.   Vision impairment does not necessarily mean no perception of light (complete darkness).  Parts of central and / or peripheral (side) vision may be damaged.

    This is the advice from Retina Australia based on broadly available research.  Every case of blindness and vision impairment is individual and it is always recommended to seek the advice of your optometrist and / or ophthalmologist and general practitioner.

    For further information, or to contact Retina Australia (Qld) go to the website at www.retinaqld.org.au  or the national organisation at www.retinaaustralia.com.au

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