If you’re having trouble with normal activities or having difficulty recognizing people and squinting a lot to see things clearly, you may suffer from vision loss. Vision loss refers to either complete or partial loss of vision.
It may occur suddenly or gradually over time and in one or both eyes, depending on the cause. Some types of visual loss are temporary or reversible, while others can be permanent.
Medical disorders, trauma, migraines, and aging are all potential causes of partial or complete vision loss. Other symptoms, such as eye injury and pain, may arise depending on the cause of visual loss. Vision loss is a difficult condition, but fortunately, there are many low vision aids that can help you manage day to day.
What Causes Vision Loss?
As previously stated, vision loss is the inability to see properly, and several types of vision loss can be caused by numerous diseases or conditions, such as:
- Migraine: People who have migraine experience visual symptoms known as migraine aura.
- Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea is a condition that can be caused by an infection or injury to the eye and is more common in those who wear contact lenses.
- Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an infection that causes blurriness, redness, and pain.
- Eye Strain: If a person stares at a screen for an extended period of time, they may begin to lose vision and perceive the things they are looking at as blurry.
- Corneal Abrasion: An injury to the eye can result in either temporary or permanent vision loss.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration: AMD is a type of eye disease that impacts a person's central vision.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve and can lead to blindness if not treated.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: A diabetes-related disorder that causes eyesight loss and blindness.
When Should I See a Doctor?
Many types of visual impairment are preventable with early diagnosis and quick treatment. There are corrective tools that can help you see when you’re progressively losing your vision, including eyeglasses, contact lenses, permanent artificial lenses, or surgical correction to the eye.
Early diagnosis and treatment of eye problems are the best ways to keep your eyes healthy. If you’re experiencing vision loss, or need to schedule your annual eye exam, contact Asheville Vision and Wellness. We provide comprehensive eye exams for health and vision problems and are a reliable resource for families in western North Carolina.