Diseases or Natural Changes: what’s behind Loss of Vision
Experiencing a loss of vision, though unsettling, can oftentimes be normal. However, there are some misconstrued thoughts regarding this process. While many believe declining sight is a result of getting older (which, it can be), there are other factors involved, too. These factors are equally important to consider, and can be caught during an eye exam.
Undiagnosed Eye Diseases
Eye diseases often go unnoticed due to the fact that individuals ignore symptoms, or mistake them for another fault: old age. Yet, many of these symptoms point at diseases that have nothing to do with a person’s age, although some are more commonly observed in certain demographic groups. In fact, with a simple eye exam, these diseases may even be be stopped.
Eyes diseases or irritations that are common, yet curable, include the following:
- Conjunctivitis
- Retinal Detachment
- Corneal Abrasion
- Blepharitis
- Dry Eyes
- Eye Redness and more
Of course, there are diseases that can’t be cured, but should still be discussed with an optometrist, such as:
- Cataracts
- Presbyopia (farsightedness)
- Astigmatism
- Nearsightedness
- Glaucoma
- Lazy Eye
- Night Blindness
In order to be officially diagnosed with one of the permanent diseases above, you will have to schedule an eye exam with your eye doctor. That these diseases may not be curable doesn’t mean they can’t be helped with the assistance of glasses, contacts, medication or surgery.
Symptoms to Watch For
There is a variety of symptoms that should prompt you to see your eye doctor immediately. While you may not be specifically experiencing a loss of vision, if you allow a symptom to get worse, permanent damage could follow. Always be cautious of flashing lights, floaters, and eye pain, as these warning signs could prove to be something serious. Furthermore, make sure you see an eye doctor for an eye exam as soon as possible if one of the following occurs:
- Flashing lights
Flashing lights, floaters, or a gray shadow in your vision could be an early sign of a detached retina. If not treated quickly, blindness can occur. - Sudden loss of vision
If you suddenly experience loss of vision, you may have an eye disease, including macular degeneration or a type of glaucoma. - Any eye pain
While many are painless, there are some conditions that can actually hurt. Particularly, dry eyes, eye injuries, and a scratched cornea can be painful, and even a sign of cancer or glaucoma.
Other symptoms to consider seeing a doctor for include:
- Regular eye discomfort
- Persistent red eye
- Eye surgery complications
Eye on Your Health
You don’t want to mess around with your eyesight – once it’s gone, it’s gone. You can’t receive a new pair of eyes, so it’s imperative to take care of the one you have. While symptoms and diseases may be serious, a loss of vision doesn’t always have to be the end result. This is why you should never be hesitant to see an optometrist. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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