People in general are not aware of the importance of good eyesight until they begin to experience problems with their vision. Many people are not aware of vision problems until they have an eye examination. Others may begin to notice slight problems but decide to carry on regardless. It is important to understand the signs and symptoms of vision problems and what can be done about it.
There are various ways that you can detect any problems with the eyes. These can include experiences such as eye pain, which is sudden or severe; pain in or around the eye, which keeps recurring; double vision; vision that is blurred or hazy; seeing rainbows or halos around a light; seeing “spider’s web” floaters; heavy discharge in the eyes; or an unusual sensitivity to light. The list is not exhaustive, and if you experience any of these symptoms or any other problems with your vision, it is in your own best interests to visit an eye doctor for an examination as soon as possible.
Even if you are blessed with good vision, there will at least be some deterioration as you grow older, and many of the eye problems mentioned above are more likely to occur as your body ages. Additional problems as you grow older might include a loss of peripheral vision, which might even lead to blindness. Your sight could even become distorted, caused by a loss of central vision. Often, the cause is AMD – age-related macular degeneration – a major cause of blindness among the elderly. Fortunately, this condition is now able to be treated and vision loss can be halted thanks to modern medical treatments.
Dry eye syndrome, which causes pain and irritation of the surface of the eye, is not confined to the old, but can become severe as you grow older and your tear ducts produce fewer tears. This can be dealt with by tear drops, prescribed or purchased over the counter.
Another danger to the eyes is diabetes, and diabetics should receive specialist eye checks every year, especially once they reach 60. A danger for diabetics is diabetic retinopathy, which is one of the top causes of blindness for people of working age in the US. That is why if you suffer from diabetes, those annual checkups are so essential.
If you think you have problems with your eyesight, you should go and have your eyes checked by a specialist without delay. It may mean you being prescribed glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision. There may also be another option – laser eye treatment. There are specialists who provide this type of treatment. One form of laser treatment is LASIK. It is quick, painless, and involves the cornea being reshaped to improve your eyesight.
The key to avoiding vision problems and maintaining good eyesight is to have regular checkups. Even if you are not aware of the signs and symptoms associated with deteriorating eyesight, the specialist will be able to pick up on them and help you avoid any future problems with your vision.