Some amount of change in our eyesight is perfectly normal as we age, and can be easily corrected with eye-glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery. Vision Aware explains that it is a good idea to have an eye test once a year to check that your eyes are still functioning normally. Normal eyesight change happens so gradually that we often don't notice it until we find that our everyday habits are changing to adapt to our reduced eyesight.
However, there are some vision issues that shouldn't be ignored, as they can be symptomatic of eye disease or other more serious issues. Below are five signs of normal change in vision, for which you might simply need glasses, and five warning signs of more serious eye issues.
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Normal vision issues.
1) Increased sensitivity to glare. Some amount of glare sensitivity is totally normal, and you should invest in sunglasses if you haven't already, as the sun can do serious damage to our eyes! But if you are noticeably struggling more with glare, then consider having your eyes checked. This might mean excessive squinting, achy eyes, or trouble seeing when in bright light.
1) Increased sensitivity to glare. Some amount of glare sensitivity is totally normal, and you should invest in sunglasses if you haven't already, as the sun can do serious damage to our eyes! But if you are noticeably struggling more with glare, then consider having your eyes checked. This might mean excessive squinting, achy eyes, or trouble seeing when in bright light.
2) Requiring more light to see clearly. You might notice this when you're moving around your house in the evening, or walking on the pavement at night. Are you walking more hesitantly than you used to, or having trouble navigating any irregularities in the ground surface? Do you shuffle your feet more, or find yourself reaching out for banisters or other forms of balance assistance more often?
3) Taking longer to adjust to light change. Try moving from being outside in the sun to a room without many windows. It's normal to take a few moments for your eyes to adjust and be able to see in the dim light, but if it is taking a very long time, this could be a sign that you're in need of an eye check.
4) Difficulty with depth perception. Vision Aware gives the example of over or under-reaching for objects, such as a glass of water. Sometimes this might feel like clumsiness — like knocking over things as you reach out for the salt at the dinner table or having trouble pouring liquid into your glass. It could also affect your hand-eye coordination when playing sports.
5) Decreased ability to focus at close range. This is most often noticeable when reading and writing. Vision Aware explains that if you find yourself avoiding reading or are holding your reading material very close to your face or at a different angle, then you're probably dealing with vision loss. The same is true if you find your writing is getting messier and it is becoming harder for you to keep it within the lines.
Abnormal vision issues.
1) Spots and floaters. We all occasionally "see stars" — those sparkling, floating spots on the peripheries of our vision. According to All About Vision, this happens more often as we get older and the eye's interior liquefies and separates from the retina. However, a sudden and prolonged onset of floaters can be symptomatic of more serious retina detachment, which can cause total vision loss. If you suddenly experience a persistent shower of spots or floaters in your vision, you should visit your optometrist or ophthalmologist immediately.
1) Spots and floaters. We all occasionally "see stars" — those sparkling, floating spots on the peripheries of our vision. According to All About Vision, this happens more often as we get older and the eye's interior liquefies and separates from the retina. However, a sudden and prolonged onset of floaters can be symptomatic of more serious retina detachment, which can cause total vision loss. If you suddenly experience a persistent shower of spots or floaters in your vision, you should visit your optometrist or ophthalmologist immediately.
2) Severe, sudden eye pain. This could be in or around the eye, can be brought on by bright light, or it can be persistent.
3) Changes in the appearance of the eye. This can include a change in the color of the iris, or white areas in the pupil.
4) Obstructed sight. This can sometimes feel like a hallucination. Common symptoms of serious eye issues are the feeling of seeing a "curtain" coming down over one eye, or the sensation of a "cup filling up with ink" in one eye, according to Vision Aware. You might also see floating "spider webs," or halos around bright light.
5) Physical symptoms. After ruling out conjunctivitis, consult your doctor if you have red or swollen eyes, as well as itching, burning, or a heavy discharge.
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WebMD recommends that you see your doctor if you have any pain in the eyes or changes in vision. Vision Aware recommends having an eye test every year so that you can remedy any vision loss before it impacts on your everyday life. The most important thing is to be observant and aware of your own body — have there been any changes, either sudden or gradual? Although serious eye issues will require more comprehensive eye testing, many doctors and optometrists will provide a free, basic eye test to begin with — or you can even test your eyes online.