New Look for Summer

Posted on: 13 July 2015

You've reached that age where everything seems to be falling apart. So now that you're having problems with your vision, you figured it was just part of the normal aging process. You're right – to a certain extent. Many vision problems are related to refractive errors – such as nearsightedness or far sightedness – which become more common as you age.

However, minor vision problems that aren't corrected can cause headaches and eye strain. They can also lead to more severe vision damage. Not only that, but many vision problems that may seem like a minor inconvenience to you may actually be signs of more serious vision and health problems. Here are some vision problems that you should definitely see your optometrist about.

Double Vision

If you're nearsighted or far sighted, you may experience double vision from time to time. If you don't have any pre-existing vision problems, double vision can be a sign of significant vision and health problems. Double vision can be a sign of diabetic retinopathy, which is a serious eye disease that can lead to blindness if left untreated.

It's also important to note that diabetic retinopathy can also cause you to experience flashes of light, blind or dark spots in your field of vision, and rings or halos around bright lights. If you're experiencing any of those symptoms, you should consult with your optometrist and your personal physician as soon as possible.

Cloudy Vision

If you've noticed that colors aren't as vibrant as they once were, or it feels like you're looking at the world through a dirty window, you may have the beginning stages of cataracts. Cataracts form a thick film over your eyes which prevents your retina from focusing on light properly. Most cataracts can be treated if caught early enough.

Tunnel Vision

Take a look straight ahead. If you can see clearly in the middle of your field of vision but the outer edges seem dark or fuzzy, you may be experiencing tunnel vision. Tunnel vision is often the first sign of glaucoma. Glaucoma causes pressure to build up on the inside of your eyes. As the pressure builds up, it can damage the optic nerve. Routine vision exams can help your optometrist diagnose the disease while it's in its early stages.

Your eyes go through lots of changes as you age. To keep your eyes healthy throughout your life, you should see an optometrist, such as those at White Rock Optometry Clinic, at least once every two years. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, you should talk to your optometrist as soon as possible.