Vision Changes: Everything You Need to Know

Vision changes are any alterations in your ability to see normally. So if you notice something different or out of the ordinary — such as blurred, cloudy or double vision or loss of vision — make sure to consult with an optometrist as soon as possible.

In this post, Clearfinity Eyecare Optometrist shares more information about vision changes. We discuss symptoms, causes and potential complications. We also offer some tips on how vision changes can be detected and prevented.

Vision Changes

Vision changes are irregularities in your eyesight that can manifest in different ways. You may experience blurred or cloudy vision, see spots in your vision or lose part of your vision. These changes may happen in one or both eyes. The problem may originate in the eyes themselves or may be caused by various conditions affecting other parts of your body.

Many vision changes are a result of simple refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness) or presbyopia (age-related farsightedness). Fortunately, these changes can be easily corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.

To determine the real condition of your eyes, it’s best to visit an eye doctor. Although many vision changes don’t end up being serious, in some cases vision change could indicate a serious underlying condition. That’s why you should never ignore visual changes. Go to your health care provider immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms

Vision changes may occur alongside other symptoms, which typically vary depending on the underlying condition, disease or disorder. Some of the symptoms that you may experience affecting one or both eyes include:

• Double vision

• Itchy eyes

• Dry eyes

• Red, sore eyes

• Decreased vision in dimly lit spaces

• Increased sensitivity to eyes

• Increased tear production or eye discharge

• Droopy eyelid

Other symptoms that may accompany vision changes and that can be felt in other parts of the body:

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Tremor

• Abnormal gait

• Difficulty speaking

Finally, look out for the following symptoms that may indicate a life-threatening condition:

• Change in level of consciousness (passing out or unresponsiveness)

• Change in mental status or behavior (delirium, confusion, hallucinations, etc.)

• Garbled or slurred speech

• Abnormal pupil size or nonreactivity to light

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body

• Severe headache

• Sudden change in vision, eye pain or loss of vision

Vision changes along with these symptoms could potentially indicate a life-threatening condition. In this case, you or your companion should seek immediate medical care.

Causes

Some vision changes originate in the eye itself, while others are caused by underlying conditions or diseases. Many of these vision changes are not serious and can be easily corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Below are some of the most common conditions that may cause vision changes:

• Dry eyes

• Eye infections

• Eye injuries

• Myopia

• Presbyopia

• Age-related macular degeneration

• Cataracts

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Corneal edema

• Uveitis and iritis

Meanwhile, some serious or life-threatening conditions that may cause vision changes include:

• Head trauma

• Glaucoma

• Malnutrition

• Endophthalmitis

• Brain tumor

• Orbital tumor

• Ocular and orbital trauma

• Stroke

• Vitamin deficiency

• Temporal arteritis

• Retinal detachment

Potential Complications

Even though vision changes aren’t often caused by serious conditions, it’s still best to proceed with caution and consult with your health care provider. If ignored or left untreated, these vision changes and their underlying causes may result in serious complications. Some of the potential complications that you should look out for include:

• Brain damage

• Loss of vision or blindness

• Chronic eye pain or discomfort

• Spread of infection

• Spread of cancer

• Unconsciousness and coma

• Involvement of the other eye

Detection

If you notice changes in your vision and experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, visit your doctor for a thorough exam. A majority of these cases can be treated easily, and the risk of complications will be reduced with the proper action.

Even if you haven’t experienced any vision symptoms, you could still have an underlying condition. It’s important to visit your ophthalmologist for regular eye exams so that you can remain up-to-date about the condition of your eyes. Although eye exams are primarily meant to gauge the health of your eyes, they can also provide you with relevant information about your overall health. In some cases, patients with high cholesterol, high blood pressure or an infectious disease only uncover the condition after having their eyes checked.

So, don’t neglect your appointment with your eye doctor. Even if your eyes and vision seem fine at the moment, these checkups can give you peace of mind that everything is A-OK.

Prevention

Apart from regular eye checkups, you should also be proactive in adopting and maintaining a variety of healthy practices. By committing yourself to doing these things, you can prevent some of the most common vision problems. Here are a few healthy habits that experts recommend:

• Learn about your family’s history for any eye problems. From there, you can figure out the best ways to prevent or minimize any risks of having the same conditions.

• Maintain a nutritious diet. Learn about the best foods to eat for good eyesight. These aren’t usually hard to find, cook or prepare. You might be surprised that many of these foods are already part of your current diet, especially if you’re fond of fruits and veggies.

• Wear appropriate eye protection, especially when doing activities or tasks that could cause an eye injury. These typically include sports, playing paintball, firearms, sawing, drilling, etc.

• Make a conscious effort to avoid eye hazards like fireworks. If your work involves tasks that expose you to certain eye hazards, make sure to wear protective eyewear such as goggles or computer eyeglasses.

• If you wear contact lenses on a regular basis, observe proper hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes and your contacts. Safely store your lenses when they’re not in use. Never use contact lenses beyond their suggested lifespan or period of usage. If irritation occurs in your eyes while you’re wearing contacts, take them off and wear your glasses in the meantime. Always consult with your doctor if you notice any eye problems.

Clearfinity Eyecare Optometrist provides quality eye care services that fit every patient’s unique needs. Every optometrist on our team is experienced and has a high level of expertise. Whether you’re coming in for an eye exam or a specific eye treatment, rest assured that you will be in good hands. Call us at (703) 293-5222 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Newington and Lorton, VA.