What do famous paintings look like to people with glaucoma? –

LONDON — Some of Britain’s most famous paintings have been adapted to show what they would look like to someone with glaucoma. Pieces by masters Sandro Botticelli and Thomas Gainsborough, among others, have been altered to show what they would look like to people with the devastating eye condition.

Each of the works of art, including ‘The Supper of Emmaus’ (1601) by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, can be found in the National Gallery in London. However, researchers show them with blurring at the edges and missing details, replicating what they might look like for people dealing with this leading cause of vision loss.

“Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide and currently affects a total of 80 million people and 3 million people in the United States,” according to the National Institutes of Health.

“Seeing the loss of detail in these famous works of art shows the impact this condition can have, not only when viewing beautiful art, but also in your everyday life,” said Giles Edmonds, director of clinical services at Specsavers. who led the project. “It is so important to have an eye test at least every two years, regardless of age, vision problems or symptoms, because this condition is treatable and it is possible to prevent possible vision loss or even irreversible blindness.”

Other priceless works of art that were altered include ‘Bathers at Asnières’ (1884) by Georges Seurat and ‘The Ambassadors’ (1533) by Hans Holbein the Younger.

Glaucoma is a common eye condition in which the optic nerve between the eye and the brain becomes damaged and is usually discovered through a routine eye test. The condition, often called the ‘silent thief of sight’, can present without any symptoms, with almost half of those living with the condition unaware they have it.

“This is a crucial reminder to everyone of the importance of having regular vision tests so that you can not only continue to enjoy your favorite works of art, but also spot early signs of conditions such as glaucoma,” said Tracy Jones of the National Gallery .

“Fortunately, the National Gallery offers a range of accessible facilities to help the public experience the collection, visit exhibitions and attend events,” Jones continued. “These events are specifically designed for the blind and visually impaired and explore paintings on multi-dimensional levels – through words, music and sounds.”

SWNS writer Richard Jenkins contributed to this report.