Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a retinal degenerative disease that causes a progressive loss of central vision.  It is one of the leading causes of blindness and is diagnosed as either wet or dry. People with AMD may first notice a blurring of central vision, especially during tasks such as reading. Also, straight lines may appear distorted or warped.  As the disease progresses, blind spots may form within the central visual field.  In most cases, if one eye has AMD, the other eye will develop the disease. 

Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in people of working age and is the result of the effects of diabetes on the eyes. It damages the blood vessels in the eye such that they either block or leak leading to decreased oxygen and nutrients to the eye nerves. In the most severe cases this can eventually lead to blindness. Diabetic patients require routine eye examinations so related eye problems can be detected and treated as early as possible.

Researchers have found that diabetic patients who are able to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels have fewer eye problems than those with poor control. Diet and exercise play important roles in the overall health of those with diabetes.

If the optic nerve is diseased or severely damaged, vision loss or blindness can occur. Optic nerve disease can result as a consequence of a variety of other conditions including glaucoma, inflammatory conditions and hereditary conditions such as Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.

Optic nerve diseases with standard medical approaches are usually incurable. This means that, in the majority of patients, if vision is lost and not recovered in a very short time, it is unlikely to ever be restored without regenerative medicine.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to a group of hereditary eye disorders. These disorders affect the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. In RP, sight loss is gradual but progressive. It is unusual for people with RP to become totally blind as most retain some useful vision well into old age. Around 1 in 3,500 people in the developed world have the inherited condition, which arises from one of a number of faulty genes. As yet there is no cure or way to halt the progress of RP. 

Stargardt’s Disease is the most common form of inherited juvenile macular degeneration. The disease not only causes the loss of central vision but also affects colour vision. With onset from about the age of 6, the effects vary from minor to complete loss of central vision.