The vast majority of Americans have good vision. But according to recent studies, about 14 million people are considered to be visually impaired.
In some cases, there isn’t much that can be done to help those suffering from vision loss. About 17% of those who are visually impaired have an impairment that cannot be corrected.
But for everyone else with visual impairment, there are things that can be done to correct their vision and improve it. They just need to keep a lookout for signs of vision loss and have something done about it as soon as possible.
Here are nine signs of vision loss and eye problems that you should not ignore under any circumstances. If you notice any of the signs listed below, immediately set your appointment with a professional from Kelly Vision Center, or a clinic near you.
1. Eye Pain
Does one of your eyes hurt almost all the time? Or worse, are you dealing with pain in both your eyes on a regular basis? Is eye pain becoming a significant problem that you can no longer do anything during the day because of it?
Most of the major eye problems don’t result in any pain. But there are some conditions, like glaucoma, that could cause you to experience pain in one or both of your eyes.
If you’re suffering from unexplained eye pain at the moment, you should seek the services of an ophthalmologist right away. You should also learn more about how to manage the pain associated with glaucoma and other eye conditions.
Contrary to popular belief, eye pain doesn’t go away on its own, and waiting for this to happen can only make the problem worse. The longer you wait to have yourself checked by an expert, the more severe your eye condition can get. By this time, your eye condition might be more expensive and harder to treat.
2. Eye Discomfort
Does it always feel like you have something stuck in your eye? It might not necessarily be painful, but it can be a constant annoyance when your eye feels this way day in and day out.
You could actually have something stuck in your eye that is causing you discomfort. But this could also be one of the many signs of vision loss.
Minor discomfort in your eye could spiral into eye pain in no time. It’s best to have your eye looked at by a professional sooner rather than later.
Regardless of how tempting it can be, you should never rub your eyes the moment you notice any discomfort. This is an unhealthy practice that will only cause severe redness and irritation to your eyes. Instead of getting rid of any discomfort, rubbing your eyes vigorously can only increase your susceptibility to common eye conditions.
3. Red Eye
Are both of your eyes really red right now? Believe it or not, this isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Two red eyes could indicate that you have a cold or minor infection—often called pink eye—that you can treat to eliminate the redness in your eyes. But one red eye could indicate a much bigger problem.
You might have a case of either scleritis or uveitis on your hands. These are two forms of inflammation that are known to affect the barrier that is in place to protect your eyes.
Instead of jumping into conclusions and self-diagnosing your red-eye, it’s best if you visit an ophthalmologist the moment you notice this in your eyes. Letting a professional diagnose the cause of your red-eye can save you a lot of stress. Seeking professional help can also put your mind at ease as you’ll know that someone capable is already looking for solutions to your current eye problem.
4. Blurred Vision
Have you noticed that things look blurrier than they used to? This is a common problem that many older Americans have.
You might just have vision issues that need to be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. But you might also have a more serious problem on your hands, like:
- Glaucoma
- Torn retina
- Macular degeneration
Additionally, blurred vision could be a very early sign that you’ve suffered a stroke.
Whatever the case, you don’t want to ignore blurry vision and hope it goes away. You should have your eyes looked at right away to rule out other serious health complications.
Aside from being one of the most common symptoms of serious eye conditions, blurred vision can also take a toll on your quality of life because this will make it very hard for you to read and see from a distance. How can you prepare meals if you can’t even read the recipe from a digital screen clearly? How can you socialize with your friends or customers if you can’t see them as they are approaching you?
5. Double Vision
Is double vision making it almost impossible for you to live a normal life? The solution to fixing it might be something as simple as updating your eyeglass prescription.
But you might also have a very serious problem on your hands if you’re experiencing double vision. It can be caused by:
- Head injuries
- Brain tumors
- Strokes
- Aneurysms
Double vision can put you in harm’s way if you attempt to go out in public and live life as you normally would. It’s not a condition you should try to push through since it could lead to more issues down the line.
6. Persistent Floaters
Do you have eye floaters that are constantly bouncing around in your line of vision?
They sometimes show up for a few seconds after you look into a bright light before disappearing. But they can also hang around for long periods of time when they’re being caused by something like retinal detachment.
Retinal detachment is caused by glaucoma, eye injuries, and even nearsightedness. You should speak with an eye doctor if you can’t seem to shake floaters right now.
7. Sensitivity to Light
Are your eyes very sensitive to light? This may cause you to deal with your fair share of migraine headaches, and it may also make it tough for you to see when you’re in a room that’s too bright or not bright enough.
There are some people who suffer from sudden eye sensitivity and others who spend their whole lives with eyes that are sensitive to light. Either way, your eye doctor can help diagnose the reasoning behind it and fix it for you in most cases.
8. Eye Discharge
Is there “eye gunk” coming out of your eyes all the time and making it hard for you to avoid rubbing them? This gunk can be caused by many things.
You might have something as simple as allergies that are causing gunk to discharge from your eyes. But you may also have something like dry eye or even a corneal ulcer.
Make an appointment with your eye doctor to discuss this eye gunk and to find the root cause of it.
9. Total Vision Loss in One Eye
Have you ever lost vision in one of your eyes?
This can be a very scary experience for a number of reasons. It can also be an indication that you have a big problem on your hands.
Vision loss in one eye can be a sign of glaucoma, macular degeneration, or another major eye problem. To prevent the problem from getting worse than it already is, you’re going to need a great eye doctor by your side.
Keep an Eye Out for These Signs of Vision Loss
You shouldn’t look past the signs of vision loss listed here and hope they go away. You should address them immediately to stop them from taking a further toll on you.
Do not wait for other symptoms before you choose to seek professional help because by the time that you do, your eye health might be in the worst state.
Once you begin to lose vision in one or both of your eyes, there’s a good chance your eyesight is going to deteriorate quickly if you don’t do something about it. Scheduling an appointment with an eye doctor should be the only thing you’re concerned about doing.
Read our blog for more tips on keeping your eyes as healthy as they can be.