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Macular degeneration is a common condition in society causing many visual disturbances, representing a large percentage of all eye problems. It is characterised by the degeneration of the macula area attributed by the loss of photoreceptors central to the retina of the eye. Most commonly, macular degeneration occurs in elderly people, and may represent a form of atherosclerosis in the eyes. The central field of vision is primarily disrupted and this can spread, causing deficits in peripheral vision as well. Macular degeneration is associated with blurred and distorted vision, causing straight lines to appear curvy. Age is the biggest risk factor for macular degeneration, however other risk factors include being female, white, a smoker, and/or having a family history of the condition can also increase your susceptibility to the condition.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, most commonly affecting 1 in 50 people over the age of 40. Glaucoma occurs when the optic disc at the back of the eye, that relays information to the brain, becomes damaged. This damage results in losses in the visual field, usually the central area of vision. The condition may result from increased pressure within the eye, but this is not a necessary condition in the development of glaucoma. Unfortunately, the symptoms of glaucoma commonly go unnoticed and progressively cause more damage that may become irreparable. Without treatment, the loss of vision usually becomes worse and commonly permanent.

Cataract is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and represents a considerable health problem in society. Under progressive stress, the proteins of the lens structurally change causing them to turn opaque (similarly what happens to the protein when an egg is cooked). When the normally transparent lens becomes cloudy and progressively opaque, a cataract has formed. This causes a dramatic reduction in the amount of light being captured by the retina. The signal transmitter to the brain is interpreted and the image appears blurry. Cataracts occur most commonly in the elderly, with more than half of people aged over 75 with the condition.