An estimated 285 million people worldwide have vision problems, according to the World Health Organization, with at least 39 million people reported as blind, and 246 million with low, or impacted, vision. This new video and accompanying gifs from Clinic Compare, a U.K.-based company that gives advice and price comparison on aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, seeks to give viewers insight into what various forms of vision impairment look like.
The video looks at four common vision problems: cataracts, which is the most common cause of vision impairment, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision, and, according to the GIF, is sort of like having a grimy filter over everything all the time. Mostly associated with old age, it can show up in younger ages due to congenital conditions. It’s easily corrected with surgery.
Age-related macular degeneration is a common eye condition for people over 50. This condition causes damage to the macula, which allows us to see objects straight ahead — which is why the central vision in this GIF is malfunctioning. Genetics are involved, but smoking doubles the risk of AMD, so steer clear of cigarettes forever if you want to keep looking straight ahead.
Glaucoma is an umbrella term for a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve connecting the retina — the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye — to the brain. Increased eye pressure may increase the risk for developing it, but it’s another area where your genetics are most likely to determine your risk.
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes. The spots and blurred vision are caused by progressive damage to the retina, which swells due to blood vessels leaking blood and other fluids. If left untreated, it can cause blindness.
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