Changes in vision can be concerning, prompting questions about long-term eye health. Noticing alterations in how you see signals the need for professional advice. These changes are not necessarily an indication of blindness, but a prompt to understand what might be happening.
Early Warning Signs of Vision Loss
Blurred vision, where objects appear fuzzy or indistinct, is an early sign of vision changes. This can make everyday tasks like reading or recognizing faces more challenging. Difficulty seeing in dim lighting or at night, known as nyctalopia, is another common symptom, making activities like driving after dark particularly difficult due to increased glare from headlights.
Other early warning signs include:
- Peripheral vision loss, or tunnel vision, which is a gradual narrowing of your field of sight.
- Blind spots, or scotomas, appearing as empty or dark patches within your vision.
- Increased sensitivity to light, or photophobia, causing discomfort or pain in bright lights.
- Halos or rainbow-colored rings around lights.
- Changes in how you perceive colors, making them appear dull or faded.
- A sudden increase in “floaters” (tiny specks or strands) especially if accompanied by flashes of light, which warrants immediate attention.
Conditions Causing Progressive Vision Impairment
Several eye conditions can lead to progressive vision loss, each affecting different parts of the eye and presenting with specific symptoms. Understanding these conditions is important for early detection.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD impacts the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. This condition often leads to a blurred or dark area in the center of the visual field, making activities like reading or recognizing faces difficult. Dry AMD involves a gradual thinning of the macula, while wet AMD is characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth under the retina that can leak fluid and cause damage.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to elevated intraocular pressure. It causes a slow loss of peripheral vision, which can progress unnoticed until significant vision loss has occurred.
Other Common Conditions
Cataracts involve the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, leading to blurred vision, a brownish tint, and increased sensitivity to glare. Diabetic retinopathy results from high blood sugar damaging the blood vessels in the retina, causing fluctuating vision, blurred vision, and sometimes blind spots.
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa, a group of inherited disorders, leads to the progressive degeneration of the retina. It often starts with night blindness and progresses to peripheral vision loss.
When to Consult an Eye Care Professional
Any noticeable change in your vision warrants a professional medical evaluation. Optometrists and ophthalmologists are eye care professionals who can assess your symptoms and conduct comprehensive eye exams. An optometrist can diagnose and treat common eye conditions and prescribe corrective lenses, while an ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who can provide surgical treatments for more complex eye diseases.
Immediate attention from an eye care professional is advised for symptoms such as:
- Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes.
- Severe eye pain.
- A sudden onset of flashes of light or a significant increase in floaters, especially if accompanied by a “curtain-like” shadow over your field of vision.
- Persistent eye pain, discomfort, or irritation.
- Halos around lights.
Early detection and treatment of eye conditions can lead to better outcomes and help preserve vision.