What diseases may cause permanent, irreversible blindness?

Depends: Top causes of permanent, irreversible blindness in the us include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Other causes in other parts of the world include infections, like trachoma. The american academy of ophthalmology recommends routine eye exams starting at age 40 in part to detect any of the above diseases before vision loss is permanent.

Many: Retinal detachment, macular degeneration, retinal vascular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma.