Signs Your Vision is Changing

 

There is a saying that growing older is a privilege denied to many, although there is truth to this, growing older also comes with changes that are unexpected. Your vision is often among one of the first changes you might experience. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 12 million people 40 years and over in the United States have vision impairment. However, vision changes are not just something older adults experience, vision disability is one of the top 10 disabilities among adults 18 years and older and one of the most prevalent disabling conditions among children. Everyone is different and may experience different symptoms when it comes to their vision changes, here is some more information according to Health Grades. 

What are vision changes?

Vision changes are any alterations in your ability to see normally and include blurred vision, cloudy vision, double vision, seeing spots in your vision, or loss of vision. Vision changes may occur in one or both eyes. Vision changes may originate in the eyes themselves or may be caused by many different conditions that affect the whole body.

What other symptoms might occur with vision changes?

Vision changes may accompany other symptoms, which will vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Other eye symptoms that may occur along with vision changes

Vision changes may accompany other symptoms affecting the eye including:

• Decreased vision in dimly lit environments

• Double vision

• Droopy eyelid

• Dry eyes

• Increased sensitivity to light

• Increased tear production or discharge from the eyes

• Itchy eyes

• Red, sore eyes (bloodshot eyes)

Vision changes may accompany symptoms related to other body systems including:

• Abnormal gait

• Difficulty speaking

• Headache

• Nausea and vomiting

• Tremor

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, vision changes may be a symptom of a serious or even life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these serious or life-threatening symptoms:

• Abnormal pupil size or nonreactivity to light.

• Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness.

• Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations and delusions.

• Garbled or slurred speech.

• Severe headache.

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

• Sudden increase in floating objects, spots, or flashing lights in your vision.

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body.

 At Carson Optical, we offer a wide array of services including glaucoma testing. Because Carson Optical is family owned and operated, we keep the highest standards in one-on-one relationships with our customers year after year. We look forward to building a relationship with you! Contact us today to schedule your eye exam.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basics/ced/fastfacts.htm#:~:text=Approximately%2012%20million%20people%2040,due%20to%20uncorrected%20refractive%20error.

https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/eye-health/vision-changes#:~:text=Vision%20changes%20are%20any%20alterations,in%20one%20or%20both%20eyes.