Warning signs of underlying eye diseases

Except for regular eye exams, people can sometimes realize certain visual changes or warning signs during daily lives by themselves. Sudden visual symptoms are usually signs of eye problems, which require an immediate visit to the doctor’s. This kind of self-detection plays an important role in visual health preservation, especially in older people. This point is easy to understand because the aging body including the eyes is losing vitality and even some normal functions. When it comes to eyesight, elderly folks widely report presbyopia which is caused by the eye’s loss elasticity.

Sudden eye pain and blurriness

Some warning signs happen suddenly, e.g. eye pain and burry vision. Many people may have some related experiences. In fact, a majority of these cases occur because of various underlying health problems. The occurrence of such a symptom may result from an acute ocular condition or just the accumulation of a chronic problem. For instance, abrupt eye pain, redness, nausea and vomiting can signal an acute attack of narrow-angle glaucoma, which requires an immediate treatment. And sudden blurry vision in one eye may signify a macular hole in the part of retina. Differently, chronic vision blurriness is usually caused by cataracts. As cataracts worsen, the lens continues to deteriorate. A cataract surgery may be necessary eventually.

Gradual loss of peripheral and central vision

Certain signs are gradual so that they are hard to realize. Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve, accompanied by gradual loss of peripheral vision. And a gradual central vision loss including wavy lines can be a sign of macular degeneration. Certain medical treatments are available now for these eye diseases. Both glaucoma and macular degeneration develop gradually and the eyesight becomes poorer at a similar pace. This does not suggest that these conditions are not serious. With the absence of early diagnosis and treatment, severe consequences like vision loss will much likely be caused.

Eye spots and floaters

Some warning signs involve spots and floaters in the visual field. Vitreous detachment, sight-threatening tear or retinal detachment often brings sudden eye spots and floaters, which also require immediate doctor’s visit. Eye floaters can also be associated with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy usually causes blind spots and eye floaters. Diabetes control is essential for older people.

Abnormal sensations in the eye

Double vision is another common sign of eye problems. It can be caused by eye conditions such as a stroke and cloudy. There are still other signs that involve abnormal sensation in the eye. Retinal detachment may bring a sensation of a dark curtain across the visual field, which requires timely reattachment. Scratchy or irritated sensation, eye surface pain and tearing are some of the most common symptoms of dry eye syndrome. Severe dry eye requires proper remedies such as eye drops and ointments.

A conclusion

Most of the above warning signs, especially sudden vision loss, deserve an immediate ECP’s visit. A delayed treatment always leads to a higher risk of lifelong visual impairment.