On this page

Vision loss is a broad spectrum

There is a wide range of eye conditions that can cause low vision. Understanding them can be a great way to both educate yourself, and better know what someone with vision loss is experiencing.

Low vision is used to describe someone who still has some functional sight but may need to be twice as close to an object as someone with unaffected vision to see it.

—

Blindness is when someone has very little or no sight and needs to rely almost completely on other senses like touch and hearing to understand and navigate their environments safely.

—

Common causes of vision loss

Age-related macular degeneration

A degenerative eye condition caused by changes to the macula (a tiny part of the retina at the back of the eye) that can result in a gradual or sudden loss of vision.

Age-related macular degeneration: Image of a happy family walking on the beach where the vision is blurred on one side of the periphery.
Age-related macular degeneration: Image of a happy family walking on the beach where the vision is blurred on one side of the periphery.

Cataracts

Cataracts are the clouding of the clear lens in the eye and can appear in one or both eyes.

Cataracts: Image of a happy family walking on the beach that is completely blurred.
Cataracts: Image of a happy family walking on the beach that is completely blurred.

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes complication which can damage the tiny blood vessels inside the eye’s retina and cause bleeding and swelling, leading to partial or complete blindness.

Diabetic retinopathy: Image of a happy family walking on the beach with dark blurred spots across various parts of the image.
Diabetic retinopathy: Image of a happy family walking on the beach with dark blurred spots across various parts of the image.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve. A gradual loss of sight, beginning with peripheral vision, will occur. If left untreated it can lead to blindness.  

Glaucoma: Image of a happy family walking on the beach with blurred vision streaks sporadically across the scene.
Glaucoma: Image of a happy family walking on the beach with blurred vision streaks sporadically across the scene.

Other common eye conditions

Retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa is a complex hereditary eye condition that causes cells in the retina to degenerate slowly and progressively.

Retinitis pigmentosa: Image of a happy family walking on the beach where only central vision is clear in a circular shape, with the periphery completely blurred out.
Retinitis pigmentosa: Image of a happy family walking on the beach where only central vision is clear in a circular shape, with the periphery completely blurred out.

Nystagmus

Nystagmus causes rapid, involuntary flickering of the eyes.

Nystagmus: Image of a happy family walking on the beach where vision is blurred as if the scene is moving quickly.
Nystagmus: Image of a happy family walking on the beach where vision is blurred as if the scene is moving quickly.

Acquired brain injuries

Acquired brain injuries such as strokes can affect vision. The cause and area of the brain affected will determine the type of vision impairment. 

Stroke: Image of a happy family walking on the beach where vision is severely blurred across half the image.
Stroke: Image of a happy family walking on the beach where vision is severely blurred across half the image.

How to get support

If you or someone you know are new to vision loss, reach out to us today to begin the process of getting the support you need.

Submit a service enquiry

Return to the Pupil Project

Learn more about low vision and how to be more inclusive today.

Return to the Pupil Project

Acknowledgement

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information.