Many types of eye problems and visual disturbances exist. In addition to blurred vision, experiencing symptoms of blind spots, dimness of vision, halos, headaches, and floaters are also common symptoms.
Changes in vision can be serious representations of eye disease or eye injury as well as a possible condition such as diabetes which can have effects on numerous organs within your body.
Evaluation by a medical professional, ideally an ophthalmologist, is warranted for any and all changes in vision. Vision change can be age related which still needs to be determined by a physician for cause and implications.
Blurred vision is when the sharpness of objects is not so well defined as well as an inability to see small details.
Blind spots, often referred to as scotomas, are dark holes in the visual field in which nothing is seen.
Dimness of vision could be various things including amblyopia. This occurs due to the abnormal eye sends a blurred image or the wrong image to the brain. Sometimes it has been referred to as “lazy eye,” however many people with only have a mild form, are not even aware about the condition until they are an adult. As the condition progresses or becomes noticeable with age, it can cause visual disorder experiences such as poor depth perception.
Halos are generally rings around lights and can be scary (as well as dangerous) when driving at night and they appear (and distract) around oncoming headlights.
Headaches can be caused by as simple a reason as that eyes/vision are changing and a routine eye exam is in order – perhaps for a change in a contact or glasses prescription; or even to get a first prescription. In this type of case, the headache could be caused by eye strain.
Visual migraines are actually migraine “headaches” without necessarily the accompaniment of pain. They are sometimes called ocular migraines as well as eye migraines, ophthalmic migraines, retinal migraines and silent migraines. They can cause sudden and frightening vision symptoms including blind spots (which may grow and move), flashing or flickering, and/or zigzag lines.
Any vision change or problems, whether these or different, are an indication to you that a medical exam is essential.
Sometimes an eye problem can be part of a general health problem that people do not ordinarily think of as affecting the eyes in any way. In these situations, your primary care provider should also be involved.
Symptoms can get worse and can possibly significantly impact the quality of your life. Determining the proper professional to see is very important.
Remember:
Opticians dispenses glasses and does not diagnose eye problems as they are not medical doctors.
Optometrists perform eye exams, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and (in some states) do some diagnoses involving the eyes as well as treat diseases that affect the eyes. However, even though they are doctors, they are not medical doctors.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors – physicians who specialize in the eyes; including diagnoses and treatment of the eyes as well as diseases that affect the eyes.
Ophthalmologists also have the privilege and license to perform eye surgery. Some opt to also provide routine vision care services, such as prescribing glasses and contact lenses.
Bright lights, fatigue, medications, outdoor overexposure, severe stress, and UV light overexposure are some additional potential causes of sudden difficulties (or increasing difficulties) being experienced with the eyes or with vision.
You will do yourself a justice to have your eyes thoroughly examined on a regular basis as well as have them examined immediately if you experience an eye injury, any eye pain, or have any vision changes/difficulties.