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Causes of Blindness Differ in Blacks, Whites
Tue Apr 13, 4:32 PM ET
By Alison McCook
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - U.S. investigators have found that the leading cause of blindness among whites is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), while most blacks lose their sight from glaucoma or cataracts.
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Furthermore, within age groups, blindness occurs nearly three times more commonly in blacks than in whites.
AMD is a frequent cause of deteriorating vision in older adults. As people age, there is a breakdown in light-sensitive cells in the macula, the tissue in the center of the retina.
In contrast, cataracts occur when proteins in the eye's lens begin to clump together, forming a milky cloud that obscures vision. In glaucoma, fluid levels rise in the eye, increasing pressure, which can damage the optic nerve.
