May is Healthy Vision Month — an annual initiative led by the National Eye Institute (NEI) to raise awareness about eye health and encourage Americans to take steps to protect their vision. common eye diseases that cause vision loss
For the estimated 12 million Americans aged 40 and over who live with vision impairment, Healthy Vision Month is also a reminder that understanding the specific conditions behind vision loss matters. Knowing what a condition is, how it progresses, and what support exists makes a real difference — both for people navigating vision loss and for the families supporting them.
This guide covers the most common eye diseases that cause vision loss in the US,with resources for each.
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Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in Americans over 60, affecting more than 11 million people. It damages the macula — the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision — making it progressively harder to read, recognise faces, and carry out detailed tasks.
Two forms:
- Dry AMD — the more common form, accounting for around 80% of cases. It progresses slowly as the macula thins over time.
- Wet AMD — less common but faster-progressing. Abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and can cause rapid, significant vision loss.
Risk factors: Age, family history, smoking, and cardiovascular disease all increase risk. AMD is more common in white Americans than in other ethnic groups.
Treatment: There is no cure for dry AMD, but the AREDS2 nutritional supplement formula has been shown to slow progression in intermediate stages. Wet AMD can be treated with anti-VEGF injections, which can stabilise or sometimes improve vision.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness and the NEI’s AMD page both offer detailed, regularly updated patient resources.
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Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, most commonly as a result of elevated intraocular pressure. It is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide and affects an estimated 3 million Americans — roughly half of whom don’t yet know they have it.
The most common form, open-angle glaucoma, develops without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Vision loss begins in the periphery, which is why glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight.” By the time changes are noticed, significant damage may already have occurred.
Who is most at risk: People over 60, those with a family history of glaucoma, and people of African American, Hispanic, or Asian descent all face elevated risk.
Treatment: Glaucoma cannot be reversed, but progression can be slowed with eye drops, laser treatment, or surgery. Regular dilated eye exams — especially after age 40 — are the single most effective preventive step.
The Glaucoma Research Foundation is the most comprehensive US patient resource for glaucoma.
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Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among working-age adults in the US, affecting more than 7 million Americans. It develops when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina.
Why it matters: In the early stages, there are often no symptoms at all. As the condition progresses, blood vessels may leak or grow abnormally, leading to blurred vision, floaters, and eventually significant vision loss if untreated.
The most important step: A dilated eye exam at least once a year for anyone with diabetes. This is the most effective way to catch retinopathy early, when it is most treatable.
Treatment: Managing blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol directly affects how fast diabetic retinopathy progresses. Anti-VEGF injections, laser treatment, and in some cases surgery are used for more advanced stages.
The NEI’s diabetic retinopathy page and the American Diabetes Association both provide clear, practical guidance.
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Cataracts common eye diseases that cause vision loss
Cataracts are the leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide. They occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision, increased glare sensitivity, and difficulty seeing at night.
Unlike the other conditions in this guide, cataracts are highly treatable. Cataract surgery — one of the most common surgical procedures in the US — removes the clouded lens and replaces it with a clear artificial one. Outcomes are excellent and recovery is typically rapid.
Risk factors include UV exposure, smoking, diabetes, and certain medications. Regular eye exams remain the best way to identify cataracts early.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has detailed patient information.
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Living Well with Vision Loss common eye diseases that cause vision loss
Understanding a condition is the first step. Knowing what practical support exists is the second.
For people managing any of the above eye diseases, the everyday challenges of communication, information access, and independence matter as much as the clinical picture. Voice-operated technology like RealSAM Pocket allows people with vision loss to make calls, listen to books and news, identify objects, get navigation assistance, and manage their day entirely by voice — without needing to navigate a visual interface.
On the question of cost: Many assistive devices in the US are available at no cost to eligible users. Veterans Affairs programmes, state vocational rehabilitation, and national grants can cover part or all of the cost. Our financial assistance guide lists programmes by state. Veterans should also visit our dedicated veterans resources page.
For guidance on accessible reading formats — audiobooks, DAISY, braille, and more — our guide to how blind people read covers the options available in the US.
If you’d like to find out whether RealSAM Pocket might be a good fit, you can schedule a free demo with no obligation.
RealSAM Pocket is a voice-operated smartphone designed for blind and visually impaired people. No apps. No screen navigation. Just tap and talk. Learn more →
