There are many eye problems out there, and it’s hard to get precise statistics on which ones are most common worldwide. But according to the World Health Organization, an estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide have a vision impairment or blindness. The WHO also states that globally the leading causes of vision impairment are cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors.

Refractive errors consist of conditions that cause the eye to be unable to accurately focus light on the retina. Usually due to a problem in the shape of the eye. The most common types of refractive errors include myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Myopia causes near-slightness, hyperopia causes trouble seeing things that are afar, astigmatism causes blurry vision at all distances, and presbyopia is an age-related condition that causes the loss of the ability to focus up-close.

Cataracts, meanwhile, is an age-related condition that usually presents in people older than 50. It lowers vision by making the lens of the eyes go cloudy, and if left untreated it can lead to severe vision loss. All of these conditions have a better prognosis if caught early, which is why it’s important to get a Vancouver eye exam at least once a year. To learn more, visit Mountain View’s website.