Certain medical conditions can cause vision problems. For example, more than 300,000 Americans a year develop a condition called diabetic retinopathy in which leakage from damaged blood vessels or bleeding from abnormal new vessels causes visual loss. To ensure the best care possible, notify your ophthalmologist of any health problems you are experiencing. Cataracts are common in people over age 55. The condition, which results in a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye, causes hazy or blurred vision and is the leading cause of vision impairment in the United States.
Poor eyesight is hereditary.
For example, some experts suggest that heredity is the most important contributing factor to nearsightedness. Glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy also tend to run in families. If your relatives have vision problems, make sure to see an ophthalmologist on a regular basis. Heredity, however, is only one of many factors that can affect your vision. Macular degeneration is a rare eye disorder.