Causes of Low Vision

Many eye diseases can cause low vision. These can include:

• Macular degeneration
• Glaucoma
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Eye injuries

Eye diseases are more common in persons over 50 years of age. However, normal aging of the eye does not lead to low vision.

Because seeing involves both the eye and the brain, diseases that affect the brain, such as strokes, also can lead to low vision.

Low vision in a child can be caused by some of the same conditions as in adults. But there are other possible causes of childhood low vision.

Congenital Diseases (Present at Birth)

• Optic nerve hypoplasia (small optic nerves)
• Cataract
• Glaucoma

Inherited Diseases (Runs in a Family)

• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Optic atrophy

Acquired Diseases (Develop After Birth)

• Glaucoma
• Eye injury
• Retinopathy of prematurity (eye disease of premature infants)
• Cerebral/cortical visual impairment (from brain damage)