Why Is My Vision Getting Worse?

Many people know that vision changes can occur at any time. However, if your vision is declining year after year or suddenly takes a turn for the worst, you may wonder why it’s happening.  

Here is a look at common reasons for declining vision, as well as the symptoms you may experience.  

Aging  

As people age, their visual acuity typically decreases, especially when it comes to near-vision. Often, this process is unavoidable. Additionally, it’s normal for vision to decline further as time passes.  

Often, age-related vision changes begin around middle age, commonly among adults over 40. During that time, presbyopia – a loss of lens flexibility – can alter visual acuity, particularly when viewing nearby objects. However, some may not see shifts until they’re far beyond 40, while others may see these changes begin earlier.  

Usually, the most common symptoms of age-related changes are trouble reading small print, fatigue after reading, holding items farther away to read, needing brighter light, and squinting.  

Injury  

An eye injury can lead to a range of physical changes that may impact your vision. If the optic nerve is damaged, it can cause significant vision loss. Similarly, an injury-related retinal detachment may cause a rise in the number of floaters, bright light flashes, and blurriness.  

Eye injuries can also cause other kinds of damage, many of which require quick treatment to prevent or reduce vision loss. Since that’s the case, fast action is always recommended, including seeing your eye health provider for an immediate assessment.  

UV Damage  

UV light harms the eyes, potentially leading to vision changes. Often, the damage begins during childhood, a period when most people aren’t as cautious when it comes to eye health. However, it may not be apparent until adulthood. Additionally, choices as an adult also influence the equation.  

In most cases, UV damage leads to blurriness. Eye pain, redness, and light sensitivity are also symptoms you may experience.  

Eye Strain  

Due to the rise of digital devices, eye strain is surprisingly common, and it can lead to certain vision changes. When people view screens, they tend to blink less. Additionally, they’re keeping their focus on a specific distance.  

In most cases, tiredness or fatigue is the most apparent symptom, coupled with dry, itchy, or burning eyes. However, you may experience headaches, light sensitivity, and soreness, too.  

Cataracts  

Technically, cataracts are another age-related reason for vision decline. As proteins in the lens break down, they can cloud the lens, leading to blurry vision.  

Along with being very common, cataracts are typically incredibly treatable, particularly when caught early. Some signs of cataracts include blurriness, glare, halos, and faded or yellowed colors.  

Glaucoma  

Glaucoma is a condition involving elevated pressure in the eye, leading to damage to the optic nerve. As the damage occurs, peripheral vision typically declines first. Blurriness and halos may also develop, as well as trouble seeing in low-light conditions.  

In some cases, glaucoma is also accompanied by pain. However, that isn’t always the case.  

Since vision changes are potentially caused by a range of conditions, including some severe problems that can lead to permanent vision loss, it’s best to see your eye health provider whenever you notice a shift. Additionally, attending your annual appointments ensures your provider can monitor your eye health and take quick action should they spot an issue that’s yet to result in symptoms.  

At ECVA, the safety and health of our patient’s eyes are our priority. If you are experiencing vision changes or simply haven’t seen your eye care provider in the past year, the ECVA team is here to help. Schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today.  

Three Common Vision Problems

When it comes to vision problems, refractive errors are the most common ones that people experience. With these, the shape of the eye or its ability to focus light changes, causing different kinds of visual acuity issues or visual anomalies. 

Since refractive errors are so common, it’s wise to understand what they are and how they impact vision. Here’s a look at the three most prominent refractive issues causing vision problems. 

Three Common Vision Problems 

Myopia 

Also called nearsightedness, myopia is a condition where close-up vision remains reasonably strong, but objects far away look blurrier than they should. The condition develops when changes to the shape of the eye alter where light is focused in the eye, causing it to concentrate in front of the retina instead of on it. 

Usually, the most obvious symptom of myopia is issues with long-distance vision. However, needing to squint to see clearly and eye strain can both be symptoms. The same goes for headaches, though those aren’t as common as with certain other refractive errors. 

Hyperopia 

Hyperopia – also called farsightedness – is a condition where close-up vision degrades while distance vision remains intact. It occurs when changes in the shape of the eye cause light to focus behind the retina instead of on it. 

With hyperopia, trouble seeing objects up close is the most definitive symptom of the condition. However, eye strain and headaches, particularly when reading or doing other up-close activities, can also be signs of farsightedness. 

Astigmatism 

Astigmatism is a condition where the cornea or lens of the eye change shape. Usually, this leads to visual distortions or blurriness, depending on the nature of the changes. Often the distortions are particularly noticeable when looking at a light at night, such as oncoming vehicle headlights after dark. The lights may look streaky, starred, or haloed, depending on the nature of the eye changes. 

Blurry vision is another common sign of astigmatism, as well as needing to squint to see clearly. Trouble seeing at night may also be a symptom, along with eye strain and headaches. 

It’s important to note that a person can have myopia or hyperopia and astigmatism. That means it’s possible to have two refractive errors impacting your vision. 

Treating Refractive Errors 

Refractive errors are traditionally treated with corrective lenses. This can include prescription glasses or contacts. With those, the lens can compensate for the changes in the eye that lead to the vision change, allowing a person to see clearly when wearing their glasses or contacts. 

In some cases, alternative vision correction options – like laser eye surgery – may also be an option. However, that will depend on the severity of the vision loss, whether your vision is stable or continuing to change, and certain other factors. 

At ECVA, the safety and health of our patient’s eyes are our priority. If you have signs or symptoms of a refractive error or simply haven’t seen your eye care provider in the past year, the ECVA team is here to help. Schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today. 

Types of Low Vision

There are numerous types of vision acuity changes, each with its own signs and symptoms. Some are simply differences in severity, while others cause losses in different areas. If you are wondering about the types of low vision, here’s a look at the most common kinds.  

Central Vision Loss  

With central vision loss, a person usually has a blurry section or blind spot in the middle of their visual field. However, the vision issue doesn’t extend to their peripheral (side) vision.  

Often, a person with central vision loss has difficulties reading. They may struggle with recognizing faces, as well as identifying details at a distance.  

In most cases, central vision loss has a limited impact (if any) on mobility. The remaining peripheral vision gives the person enough to generally move about safely.  

Peripheral Vision Loss  

Essentially a counter to central vision loss, with peripheral vision loss, the blurriness or blind spots can be on one or both sides, above, below, or all around the central portion of the visual area. Usually, the person can see directly ahead, creating a form of tunnel vision.  

Reading, identifying people’s faces, and even seeing at a distance may be manageable with peripheral vision loss. However, mobility may be impacted if the peripheral vision loss is severe. Additionally, in serious cases, reading speed may be slowed, as only a couple of words may be visible at a given time.  

Blurred Vision  

With blurred vision, a person’s entire visual field is affected. Everything may appear to be out of focus, regardless of whether an object is close or far away. The issue also remains even with corrective lenses.  

However, the field of view isn’t necessarily cloudy. Colors can remain clean and crisp, even as the objects seem to be out of focus. For example, a healthy grass lawn may appear vibrantly green, but the blades of grass can’t be separately identified.  

Generalized Hazy Vision  

At times referred to as cloudy vision, generalized hazy vision also impacts the entire visual field. It’s not unlike trying to see through glare or a film, or as if a fog has come to rest permanently in front of the person’s eyes.  

Light Sensitivity  

In extreme cases, light sensitivity significantly alters a person’s vision. It occurs when normal lighting conditions seemingly overwhelm the person’s eyes, causing images to appear washed out. At times, light sensitivity can be accompanied by physical discomfort or pain even when the area’s lighting is considered a normal level.  

Night Blindness  

With night blindness, a person can’t see in dimly lit spaces, such as movie theatres or outside at night. Starlight and moonlight are usually insufficient. Even vehicle headlights may not provide enough illumination for them to drive safely.  

Ultimately, if you are struggling with low vision, scheduling an appointment with your eye doctor is essential. The ECVA team will work diligently to determine the cause of your low vision, ensuring proper steps can be taken to ensure your eyes’ health and preserve or restore your vision when possible. Schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today.