Eye Conditions Associated with Blindness R-S

Retinal Detachment

Separation of the retina from the underlying supportive tissues. Retinal detachment may result from injury, disease, or other causes. A person with retinal detachment usually does not experience pain, but may see floaters (see floaters and spots) or bright flashes of light, may have blurred vision or may see a shadow or curtain over part […]

Fundus of patient with retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis Pigmentosa: What is it?

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common of a large group of progressive retinal degenerations or dystrophies [i.e., degenerative disorders]. There is considerable overlap among the various types. It usually refers to a group of hereditary conditions involving one or several retina layers, causing progressive degeneration. What Causes Retinitis Pigmentosa? Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited […]

Retinoblastoma

What Is Retinoblastoma? Retinoblastoma is the presence of rapidly growing, immature cells accumulating into a malignant tumor (cancer) in the retina, which is the thin, light-sensitive nerve tissue lining the back of the eye. The lone cause of retinoblastoma is a mutated genetic code in the nerve cells of the retina. The code is lacking […]

Premature newborn baby in the hospital incubator. Neonatal intensive care unit

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

What Is Retinopathy of Prematurity? Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retina disease that can occur in premature babies. The retina is the thin, light-sensitive tissue that lines the inside surface of the eye. Cells in the retina convert incoming light into electrical impulses. The optic nerve carries these electrical impulses to the brain, which […]

Stargardt’s Disease

What Is Stargardt’s? Stargardt Disease (Stargardt’s) is an inherited, juvenile form of macular degeneration. A genetic mutation causes protein to block the passing of nutrients and waste to and from the macula. The macula, or central portion of the retina, and its “cone” photoreceptor cells are adversely affected. The retina is light-sensitive nerve tissue lining the […]

Strabismus

What Is Strabismus? Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are directed toward different points simultaneously, occurring either constantly or intermittently. Strabismus occurs when eye muscles are not working together properly; one or more of the six ocular (eye) muscles may be ineffective, out of place, too short, or too long. An eye may […]

Hemianopsia, or hemianopia, is a less vision or blindness (anopsia) in half the visual field, usually on one side of the vertical midline.

Stroke/Hemianopsia

What Is a Stroke? A stroke is an episode of decreased blood flow to the brain’s tissues. This decreased blood flow can be caused by a blockage in a blood vessel (an ischemic stroke) or damage to a blood vessel that causes bleeding from the blood vessel and prevents the area supplied by that vessel […]

Sturge Weber Syndrome

Sturge-Weber Syndrome is a set of related attributes caused by a sporadic genetic mutation (non-hereditary) and typically characterized by the eye condition known as glaucoma as well as a “port-wine stain” (pinkish or reddish birthmark) on one side of the face (usually covering at least one eyelid and forehead), seizures occurring by the time the […]