Vision is one of our most vital senses, enabling us to vividly experience the world. However, as we age or encounter various health conditions, changes in our vision can occur. While some of these changes are normal, others may indicate underlying issues that require immediate attention. Understanding what these changes mean and knowing when to seek help is crucial in maintaining optimal eye health.
Common Changes in Vision
Blurry Vision
Blurry vision is one of the most common changes people experience. It can be caused by refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism. However, sudden, or severe blurry vision can indicate more serious issues.
Difficulty Seeing at Night
Night vision can diminish with age due to changes in the eye's lens, which becomes less transparent over time. This can make driving at night or seeing in low-light conditions challenging. Night blindness may also be a sign of cataracts or vitamin A deficiency.
Floaters and Flashes
Floaters are tiny specks or strands that float across your vision, often noticed when looking at something bright, like a white wall or the sky. While floaters are usually harmless and related to the natural aging process, a sudden increase in floaters or flashes of light could signify a retinal detachment. This severe condition requires immediate medical attention.
Double Vision
Experiencing double vision (diplopia) can be unsettling. It may be caused by issues ranging from muscle weakness in the eyes to more severe conditions like a brain injury, stroke, or nerve damage.
Sensitivity to Light
Increased sensitivity to light, or photophobia, can be due to several reasons, including migraines, eye infections, or corneal issues. It can also be an early warning sign of more serious eye conditions like uveitis or cataracts.
Loss of Peripheral Vision
Peripheral vision is what you see on the side when looking straight ahead. A gradual loss of peripheral vision can be a sign of glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve and can lead to blindness if not treated.
Distorted Vision
If straight lines appear wavy or you notice a blind spot in the center of your vision, you may be experiencing symptoms of macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
Eye Pain and Redness
Persistent eye pain, redness, or discomfort should never be ignored. These symptoms could indicate an infection, inflammation, or even a serious eye disease.
When to Visit Your Eye Doctor
It is important to know when to seek help for vision changes. Here are some guidelines:
- Sudden Vision Changes: Any sudden changes in vision, such as a loss of vision, flashes of light, or a sudden increase in floaters, should be treated as a medical emergency.
- Persistent Symptoms: If you experience persistent symptoms like blurry vision, double vision, or eye pain, schedule an eye exam as soon as possible.
- Regular Exams: Even if you don’t notice any changes in your vision, regular eye exams are important, especially as you age or if you have underlying health conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
Uptown Vision: Your Partner in Eye Health
Our eye care services address many vision concerns, from routine exams to complex eye conditions. Our experienced eye doctors use the latest diagnostic technology to assess your vision and eye health, providing personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs.
- Comprehensive Eye Exams: Our thorough exams screen for common vision problems and eye diseases, ensuring your eyes are healthy and functioning at their best.
- Contact Lens Services: We provide specialized fittings and a wide range of contact lenses to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.
- Management of Ocular Diseases: We offer expert care for conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
- Emergency Eye Care: If you experience an eye emergency, our team is ready to provide prompt, effective treatment.
- Whether you need an updated prescription, treatment for an eye condition, or simply want to ensure your eyes are in good health, Uptown Vision is here to help.
Schedule an Eye Exam in Minneapolis, MN
Don’t wait until a vision problem becomes severe. Regular eye exams are crucial to maintaining your overall health and well-being. If you have noticed any changes in your vision, or it has been a while since your last eye exam, contact Uptown Vision to schedule an appointment.