Warning Signs of Poor Vision

A decline in strong vision is usually the result of a few factors including anatomical changes or defects in the eye, eye diseases, side effects of medication or eye injuries. Lots of people also report visual abnormalities resulting from aging or eye strain. Aging and stress can cause changes in your vision, which can cause discomfort and even make it harder to perform daily activities, like reading books or using a computer for long periods. These vision problems can be expressed via the following symptoms: eye strain, headache, blurred vision, squinting and struggling with short or long distances.

Blurred vision is one of the most commonly occurring signs of a vision problem. If you report blurred vision when you're looking at distant objects or signs, you may very well be myopic or nearsighted. Blurred vision that's present when you are looking at something at close range may be a sign of farsightedness, or hyperopia. It can also be a sign of astigmatism which occurs due to an irregularity in the way the cornea is formed, or sometimes the curvature of the lens inside the eye. In all cases of blurry vision, it's essential to have your eye care professional thoroughly check your vision and prescribe a solution to help clarify your sight.

A sudden onset of flashes of light, together with black floating spots and the feeling of a dark curtain that limits a section of your vision indicates you might have what's known as a retinal detachment. If this happens, make an appointment to see your eye doctor as soon as you can, as it can have serious consequences for your eyesight.

Another common warning sign of a vision problem is trouble distinguishing shades or strength of color. This is an indication of a problem perceiving color, or color blindness. Interestingly, this condition is generally not known to the patient until discovered with a test. Color blindness is generally found in males. If present in a female it might indicate ocular disease, and an eye care professional needs to be consulted. For people who have difficulty distinguishing objects in dim light, it is a sign of possible night blindness.

Cataracts, a condition frequently seen elderly patients can have several indicating signs which include: blurry sight that worsens in bright light, weak night vision, difficulty discerning small writing or details, muted or faded colors, seeing duplicates in one eye, painful redness around the eye, and an opaque white appearance to the normally dark pupil.

Throbbing eye pain, headaches, blurry sight, inflammation in the eye, colorful coronas around lights, nausea and vomiting are also signs of glaucoma, an acute medical condition, which calls for immediate medical attention.

With younger patients, it is important to watch for weak eye movement, or eyes that cross in or out, which could indicate a vision problem known as strabismus. Certain behavior in children, like rubbing eyes, squinting, head tilting, or needing to close one eye in order to see things better, can often indicate this issue.

Though some conditions may be more serious than others, any disruption to clear sight will be a burden, and impact your quality of life. A brief visit to your optometrist can prevent unnecessary discomfort, not to mention even more severe eye damage.