Low Vision in Nigeria: Independence Day for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy is the term used for the many vision related complications that result from one having diabetes. Diabetic Retinopathy affects more than 5.3 million Americans 18 and older. Diabetic retinopathy affects whites more than any other races prior to age 40. It is more prevalent in African /African American and Hispanic people over the age of 40.

This disease is the leading cause of blindness in person affected by diabetes. It is caused by the damaging of tiny blood vessels by diabetes. Like Glaucoma Diabetic Retinopathy generally goes unnoticed, but over time it can vision loss, and it usually affects both eyes. Diabetic Retinopathy occurs in four stages:

1. Mild Non proliferative Retinopathy. At this earliest stage, microaneurysms occur. They are small areas of balloon-like swelling in the retina’s tiny blood vessels.
2. Moderate Non proliferative Retinopathy. As the disease progresses, some blood vessels that nourish the retina are blocked.
3. Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy. Many more blood vessels are blocked, depriving several areas of the retina with their blood supply. These areas of the retina send signals to the body to grow new blood vessels for nourishment.
4. Proliferative Retinopathy. At this advanced stage, the signals sent by the retina for nourishment trigger the growth of new blood vessels. This condition is called proliferative retinopathy. These new blood vessels are abnormal and fragile. They grow along the retina and along the surface of the clear, vitreous gel that fills the inside of the eye (nih.gov).

The last disease that affects African/African Americans and the last disease I will address in this paper is Cataract.

There are two types of low vision aid optical and no optical I will discuss optical devices first.

Services Available

The following links are websites that deal specifically with blindness and other vision related problems. Please fell free to follow the link and learn of all the many services available to those who are blind or visually impaired. These sites also provide useful information for those who work with people affected by some degree of vision loss.

• nichcy.org
• aph.org
• afb.org
• lcweb.loc.gov
• nfb.org

Conclusion

“The right to sight is a basic human right. Nevertheless, it is an unaffordable luxury for almost 45 million people in the world, 6 million of whom live in Africa. The elimination of avoidable blindness by 2020 is a lofty goal and a tall target.