Sight Loss Conditions

There are many causes of sight loss but the more common medical eye conditions that result in loss of sight are listed below. Follow the links below to read more about each eye condition and where we have also produced a visual simulation of how these conditions may affect a person's sight. Please note these simulations can only give an idea of how it may affect somone, because the effect of each person’s eye condition is unique - two people with the same condition may experience something different.

20/20 Vision

A view across a lake in the Lake District with large hills in the background. The blue sky and white clouds reflected in the water

An unchanged image

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMRD)

The image of the lake and hills landscape altered to a simulation of how macular degeneration may affect someone's sight with the central vision obscured

ARMD is the largest single cause of sight loss amongst older people. Read more

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)

Image of the lake and hills landscape that has been altered to simulate how RP may affect someone's sight with the peripheral vision obscured

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to a group of inherited diseases of the retina that all lead to a gradual progressive reduction in vision

Glaucoma

Photo of the lake and hills landscape that has been altered to simulate how Glaucoma may affect someone's sight with the peripheral vision obscured

Glaucoma is the name for a group of conditions which affect the optic nerve. More than one million adults aged 40 and over in the UK are living with glaucoma, half of them without knowing. Read more.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Photo of the lake and hills landscape that has been altered to simulate how Glaucoma may affect someone's sight with blotches across the view

People with diabetes are at risk of developing a condition called diabetic retinopathy which can result in loss of sight if not detected at an early stage.

Hemianopia

Photo of the lake and hills altered to simulate how Hemionopia may affect someone's sight

Hemianopia is the loss of sight to one side of the vision, which can happen following a stroke, brain injury or disease affecting the brain. Read More

Nystagmus

Photo of the lake and hills altered to simulate how Nystagmus may affect someone's sight

Nystagmus, is rapid involuntary movement of the eyes which often seriously reduces vision. Read More

Charles Bonnet Syndrome

Photo of the lake and hills with the silhouette of a man walking on top of the lake to respresent a visual hallucination

Charles Bonnet Syndrome is not a cause of sight loss, more a result of sight loss, but is included on this page to highlight this worrying condition which causes hallucinations, resulting in people, or their family/friends, potentially wrongly believing that they may have mental health problems. Read More.