Seeing Differently. Eye Conditions Behind Legal Blindness.
Not all blindness looks the same. Some people lose their central vision. Others can’t see at night. Some are born with limited sight, while others lose it over time. This page breaks down the most common (and some lesser-known) eye conditions that can lead to legal blindness—what they are, how they affect vision, and what it feels like to live with them.
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)
Retinitis Pigmentosa is a rare genetic eye disorder that causes progressive tunnel vision and night blindness. It’s one of the leading causes of inherited blindness.
Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular Degeneration (AMD) affects central vision and is a common cause of vision loss in older adults. It makes reading, driving, and recognizing faces difficult.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often without early symptoms. It gradually reduces peripheral vision and can lead to blindness if untreated.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy is an eye disease caused by diabetes. It damages blood vessels in the retina, leading to blurred vision, dark spots, and potential vision loss.
Stargardt Disease
Stargardt Disease is a genetic form of macular degeneration that affects children and young adults. It primarily impacts central vision, while peripheral vision remains intact.
Other Conditions
Other causes of legal blindness include rare eye conditions such as Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis, Optic Nerve Atrophy, Achromatopsia, Ocular Albinism, Coloboma, and Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). These conditions affect vision in various ways—from light sensitivity and color blindness to complete vision loss—and may appear at birth or develop early in life.