Symptoms of going blind: Signs Of Sight Loss | Urban Optics

25.08.202309.06.2023 by alexxlab

9 Vision Loss Symptoms That Could Be Signs You’re Going Blind

Throughout our lives, we will experience mild vision changes that may be rather inconvenient and even painful but aren’t signs of going blind or other serious vision issues.

Dry eyes and eye strain are common problems that may resolve on their own and don’t mean that we are losing vision.

However, in some cases, flashing lights, eye pain, and even seemingly harmful things like floaters can be signs of more serious problems, signaling that you need a prompt visit to your eye health expert. In those cases, visiting Dr. Steven Stetson and his team of eye care professionals should be your top priority.

That being said, problems like sudden vision changes, losing vision, and eye pain shouldn’t be ignored as they can be signs you’re going blind.

Vision Loss by the Numbers

On a global scale, around 250 million people have to deal with visual impairment, according to the WHO’s (World Health Organization) data. What’s more troubling is the fact that around 80% of these cases could have been prevented if attended timely.

This is why visiting your doctor for eye exams regularly is so crucial. Even before experiencing minor vision changes, checkups can be imperative in diagnosing progressing eye problems like glaucoma. This is a rather common vision problem that only produces a few minor symptoms in its earliest stages.

On the other hand, visiting the doctor should be mandatory in the case of sudden vision changes and eye pain. On that end, here’s a list of symptoms you should ignore because, in some cases, they might be signs you’re going blind.

Floaters, Gray Shadows in Your Vision, and Flashing Lights

While floaters aren’t apparent symptoms that signal you’re losing vision, if there are a lot of them, accompanied by a sudden onset of a gray curtain in your vision field with flashing lights, you should see your doctor right away. These symptoms can signal a rather serious condition, the detachment of your retina. This happens when the layer of nerves in the backside of your eye detaches. This nerve layer is responsible for sending images to your brain, enabling you to see.

Blunt trauma, as well as conditions like diabetes and nearsightedness all increase the risk of retinal detachment. Once it happens, it should be addressed with surgery as fast as possible, as the condition can cause blindness.

That being said, if you ever experience the above-mentioned vision changes, visit your eye expert as soon as possible.

Eye Pain

In most cases, eye diseases are painless, but there are conditions that can cause pain. Especially after suffering a serious eye injury, pain and vision changes shouldn’t be ignored and must be reported to a doctor as quickly as possible. On the other hand, other conditions like dry eyes, glaucoma, eye cancer, and a scratched cornea can all cause eye pain.

Losing Vision in of Your Eyes

When you’re suddenly losing vision, the underlying problems can be many. For instance, sudden vision loss can be caused by AMD or age-related macular degeneration. This is the leading vision loss cause in people over the age of 65 in the country. If you’ve heard about macular degeneration already, then you know that the symptoms are gradual in most cases. However, vision loss can also happen suddenly. When the eye’s blood vessels leak blood or fluid under the retina, it can damage the nerves that enable you to see.

When there’s a rapid fluid buildup in the eye, the pressure can damage the optic nerve. Also, a type of glaucoma can also lead to sudden vision changes, i.e., vision loss. At the same time, there are several other conditions that may lead to vision loss.

Blurry Vision

In most cases, blurry vision isn’t among the signs you’re going blind. However, in rarer cases, even when the blur clears up, it can signal several eye problems, like age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, a torn retina, uveitis, and more. Also, losing vision in one of your eyes can signal other problems, like suffering a stroke. When vision loss happens to only one eye, it could mean that the carotid artery is blocked. The carotid artery is the largest blood supplier to the eyes, and the buildup can cut off the blood flow to the eyes.

Eye Injury

As we’ve talked about this before, eye injuries can lead to losing vision and sudden vision changes, depending on their severity.

On that end, more significant and severe injuries to the eyes should always be checked by a professional, especially if the pain persists for more than 20 minutes and it’s accompanied by redness.

Eye Discomfort when Wearing Contact Lenses

The majority of people who wear contacts don’t experience any problems, let alone vision loss symptoms. However, if wearers don’t follow the basics of proper lens maintenance, use, and care, they can contract serious infections. That being said, if you experience any vision loss symptoms, pain, discomfort, or redness because of wearing contacts, visit your ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Constant Eye Discomfort

When you are experiencing persistent discomfort in your eyes or eye, this may be due to a small particle that might have entered the eye. This can happen when you’re working with a hammer, under a car, or performing other types of work. When this happens, never ignore it and visit a doctor as quickly as you can. An expert will have to evaluate your condition and take the necessary course of action. Foreign particles in your eyes can lead to vision changes, infection, and even more severe problems down the road.

That being said, you should always wear protective eyewear while working.

Red Eyes

When it comes to red eyes, experts will usually say that it’s better to have both eyes affected by the problem than only one. When both of your eyes are red, chances are you’re dealing with pink eye or conjunctivitis, a self-healing, minor infection. However, when only one of the eyes is read, that could be a sign of more severe inflammation, more specifically scleritis. This is a condition that happens when the outer protective area of the eye gets inflamed. Uveitis can also cause redness in one eye only. This is when the middle coating of an eyeball becomes inflamed.

Complications from Eye Surgery

While complications following surgery are rare, they might happen. Blurry vision, redness, and eye pain after surgery should be immediately assessed by a professional.

As a matter of fact, even if these problems go away, you should still tell them about your doctor to make sure everything’s fine.

The Importance of Regular Checkups

As you can see, being regular with your eye health appointments can go a long way in preserving your vision and in catching serious problems in their earliest stages, when they are the easiest to treat.

Proper care and regular screenings are essential in keeping every aspect of your health in check. That being said, if you are looking for impeccable eye-care services, feel free to reach out to our experts.

What are the symptoms of going blind?

The term “vision loss” can refer to either the complete or partial loss of vision. When a person begins to experience sight loss, they may experience a variety of symptoms, such as blurred vision, the presence of spots in their central vision, and the loss of peripheral vision.

Vision loss is a common occurrence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 12 million people in the United States above 40 years of age have vision impairment. This includes 1 million people who have blindness.

In this article, we outline the symptoms of vision loss and discuss the potential causes of blindness. We also list possible treatments and tips for healthy eyes.

If a person is experiencing sight loss, they may develop a number of symptoms. These can include:

blurred vision
hazy vision and cloudiness
wavy lines or spots in their central vision
restricted peripheral vision
poor vision at night or in the dark
difficulty seeing colors

Below are some of the potential causes of vision loss.

Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs when aging causes damage to the macula. The macula is a part of the retina. It controls sharp, straight-ahead vision. When AMD causes damage to the macula, it can blur a person’s central vision.

AMD is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults. It does not cause complete blindness, but losing the central vision can make it harder to:

see faces
read
drive
do close-up work, such as cooking or fixing things

Cataracts

A cataract is a cloudy area that appears in the lens of the eye. The lens is the clear part of the eye that helps focus light. Most cataracts develop due to natural changes in the eye as a person ages.

When a person is young, their lens is often clear. Then, as they age, proteins in the lens begin to break down and clump together. These clumps cause the lens in the eye to become cloudy, causing cataracts.

Cataracts can take time to develop, and a person may not notice they have a cataract at first. Over time, the cataract can worsen, making a person’s vision:

blurry
hazy
less colorful

Cataracts are a major cause of blindness around the world.

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a potential complication of diabetes. DR occurs when diabetes causes damage to the blood vessels of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. DR varies in severity depending on the number of blocked blood vessels, but it can lead to permanent vision loss.

According to the CDC, DR is the leading cause of blindness among adults in the U. S.

In the early stages of DR, a person may not experience any symptoms. Others may experience symptoms such as having trouble reading or seeing objects that are far away. These changes may come and go. In the later stages of DR, a person may see floating spots or streaks in their vision.

Early diagnosis and treatment of DR can help reduce the risk of vision loss. However, around 50% of people with DR receive a diagnosis that is too late for treatment to be effective.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve. This is the nerve present at the back of the eye.

In its early stages, glaucoma may not cause a person to develop any symptoms. Over time they may start to slowly lose their vision. This often begins with peripheral vision.

Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can help stop damage to the optic nerve and protect a person’s vision. Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to vision loss and blindness.

Treatments for vision loss depend on the cause. Below are different treatment options for certain causes of vision loss.

Treating AMD

There is currently no treatment for early stage AMD. If a person has intermediate AMD, their doctor may recommend that they take dietary supplements to help prevent it from turning into late AMD.

Wet AMD is a less common type of AMD that causes faster vision loss. If a person has wet AMD, a doctor may recommend anti-VEGF drugs and photodynamic therapy.

Treating cataracts

If a person has early stage cataracts, they may be able to make the following changes to manage them:

using brighter lights at home or work
wearing anti-glare sunglasses
using magnifying lenses for reading and other activities

A new prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses can help a person see better with cataracts. If a person’s cataracts start to get in the way of everyday activities, a doctor may suggest they have surgery to remove them.

Treating DR

Treatment for DR cannot undo damage to a person’s vision. However, treatment can stop a person’s vision from getting worse. Treatment options for DR include:

Injections: A doctor may inject anti-VEGF drugs into the eye to slow down or reverse DR.
Laser treatment: Laser treatment can reduce swelling in the retina. Doctors can also use lasers to make the blood vessels shrink and stop leaking.
Eye surgery: If the retina is bleeding a lot or there is excessive scarring in the eye, an eye doctor may recommend a type of surgery called a vitrectomy.

Treating glaucoma

Treatment for glaucoma cannot undo the damage to the eye. However, treatment can prevent the damage from becoming worse. Treatments for glaucoma include:

Medications: Prescription eye drops are the most common treatment for glaucoma. They lower the pressure in the eye and prevent damage to a person’s optic nerve.
Laser treatment: Doctors can use lasers to drain fluid from the eye to reduce pressure.
Surgery: If medications and laser treatment do not work, a doctor may suggest surgery. There are a number of types of surgery that can help drain fluid out of the eye.

To help prevent vision loss and maintain good eye health, the CDC suggests:

visiting an eye doctor for a regular comprehensive dilated eye exam
carefully managing:
- blood sugar levels
- blood pressure
- cholesterol
being aware of family eye health history
eating a healthy, balanced diet
maintaining a moderate weight
wearing protective eyewear where necessary
avoiding smoking
wearing sunglasses that block out 99–100% of both UVA and UVB radiation
taking regular screen breaks
properly cleaning hands and contact lenses

If a person notices a change in their vision, they should contact an eye doctor right away. This is because early diagnosis and treatment are very important for a number of eye conditions, as they can help prevent any damage to the eye from worsening.

The term “vision loss” can refer to either the complete or partial loss of vision. Common symptoms of vision loss include blurred vision, the presence of spots in central vision, and the loss of peripheral vision.

There are a number of possible causes of vision loss, including AMD, cataracts, DR, and glaucoma. If a person experiences signs of vision loss, they should contact an eye doctor right away. This is because early treatment is important in helping prevent further damage to the eye.

causes, types, diagnosis and treatment

Blindness: main causes

Blindness is a complete or partial impairment of visual acuity, an anomaly in the development of the visual system with impaired light perception. In this condition, there may be insufficient vision, ranging from 0.01 to 0.05D with correction, i. e. wearing glasses or contact lenses. Blindness limits the movement of patients, they often do not distinguish the shapes, sizes, colors of objects, location, but they have well-developed secondary signs of spatial orientation – touch, and hearing is also aggravated.

In newly born children, the cause of congenital blindness is often retinopathy of prematurity, cataracts, or provoked by infections during fetal development. In adults, blindness may occur when:

Cataract
Glaucoma
Optic nerve atrophies
Retinal dystrophies
Diabetes
Infectious, parasitic diseases
Benign and malignant neoplasms in the brain or head trauma
Complete dysfunction of the optic nerve and cerebral hemorrhage, with complete impairment of the visual system.

Partial loss of vision can be diagnosed in patients with helminthiases (a disease caused by helminths – parasitic worms), for example, onchocerciasis (helminthiasis from the group of filariasis, characterized by the formation of subcutaneous nodes, damage to the skin and eyes).

It is important to remember that with the diagnosis and timely treatment of diseases that provoke blindness, most of the causes are eliminated in the early stages, and patients can be completely cured.

Blindness and its types

Ophthalmologists distinguish between total and practical blindness. If with total blindness vision is completely absent, then with practical blindness residual vision is diagnosed, patients have a color and light sensation.

Specific types of this disease include:

Colorblindness – a condition in which high visual acuity is diagnosed, but the Patient cannot distinguish some or all colors
Night blindness . It appears only in the evening and at night. During the day, with sufficient lighting, visual acuity remains normal
Snow blindness is a condition caused by exposure of the visual system to UV rays. The disease is manifested by a decrease in visual acuity, as well as a partial or complete lack of perception. This condition is not permanent and snow blindness goes away with time.

Diagnosis and treatment of blindness

In the Eye Clinic of Dr. Belikova, a comprehensive diagnostic examination is carried out to establish the causes of vision loss. This type of examination allows you to identify the causes and diagnose the degree of the disease, of course, prescribe an effective treatment. In some cases, you may need to consult other specialists, such as a surgeon, neurologist or neurologist.

It is important to pay attention to the primary signs: the patient begins to see poorly, visual acuity decreases sharply, glare appears, a veil before the eyes appears, parts of objects fall out of the field of view or a foreign body gets into the eye. We advise you to immediately consult an ophthalmologist.

causes, signs, treatment, prevention at home

Damage to the visual apparatus and complete loss of vision significantly impair the quality of life. Unfortunately, today blindness is not so rare. According to WHO statistics, about 2.2 billion people in the world have serious vision problems. Let’s figure out what can cause blindness, and in which cases the treatment will be effective.

What is blindness

For various reasons, a person’s vision may deteriorate, up to its complete loss, which is called blindness.

Blindness can be:

Absolute (congenital or acquired), when visual acuity is zero, and a person does not even see the outlines of objects, does not distinguish between light and darkness.
Partial – when a person retains light perception, but his field of vision is not more than 10%.
Color – in this case, color perception is impaired (most often the ability to perceive red).

There is another classification according to which blindness occurs:

reversible – that is, there is a treatment that can restore vision;
irreversible – lost vision cannot be restored.

What you need to know about blindness

900 93 <0.05

Practical or absolute blindness	visual acuity less than 3/60 (0.05)
At best correction
Field of view	<10″
Disability group	I

Causes of blindness in humans

Various factors can provoke loss of vision during life: infections, injuries, cataracts, glaucoma and many others ¹ .

Congenital blindness in humans occurs due to pathologies of the structure of the eye, which developed during the period of intrauterine development of the fetus. For example, when irreversible changes have touched the retina.

In other cases, the causes of blindness in humans lie in a whole list of diseases. The most common cause of acquired blindness is glaucoma. Due to the violation of the outflow of fluid, intraocular pressure increases, hence damage to the optic nerve occurs. In second place among the causes of blindness are eye injuries and trachoma (a chronic infectious eye disease caused by chlamydia).

Cataracts, a disease that causes clouding of the lens of the eye, can also lead to blindness. Cataracts are treatable and in most cases the patient’s vision can be restored ² .

Another pathology dangerous for vision is retinal detachment from the underlying membranes of the eyeball. The situation is reversible, but only with the help of emergency surgery. The sooner the operation to repair the retinal tear is performed, the higher the chances of preserving vision.

Blindness in a person can be caused by clouding of the cornea and lack of blood supply against the background of diabetes mellitus and other diseases. Tumors of the visual structures and the brain can lead to loss of vision.

Signs of blindness in humans

The most characteristic symptoms of blindness are narrowing of the visual field or its complete absence in one or both eyes. Acquired blindness can be sudden, for example, as a result of trauma, hemorrhage in the brain or retina. But more often the process of vision loss develops gradually. Blindness may be preceded by the following symptoms:

with retinal detachment – periodic flashes of light before the eyes, loss of peripheral vision;
with a stroke – a sharp deterioration in vision, which is often accompanied by nausea, headache, loss of sensation on one side of the body;
with angle-closure glaucoma, a person is worried about severe pain and redness in the eye, headache;
with cataract, a veil appears before the eyes, it becomes difficult to distinguish letters when reading;
with a corneal ulcer, a grayish spot appears on the mucous membrane, lacrimation occurs, a sensation of a foreign body in the eye.

Any discomfort in the eye area should be consulted by an ophthalmologist. Many diseases of the visual structures respond well to treatment at an early stage, which will allow a person to avoid complete loss of vision.

Diagnosis of blindness in humans

Primary diagnosis consists of checking visual acuity in each eye. The procedure is called visometry and takes only a few minutes. During the study, the doctor will need special tables with letters, numbers and pictures. The patient, who is at a certain distance from the tablet, needs to read the lines indicated by the doctor. Each eye is examined in turn, closing the second eye at the time of examination.

The tables are different: Snellen (letters of the Latin alphabet), Sivtsev-Golovin (letters of the Russian alphabet), Orlova (with drawings) and Landolt (figures from half rings).

Photo: wikimedia.org Photo: wikimedia.org Photo: wikimedia.org

Other diagnostic methods include checking vision with a refractometer. This allows you to determine how clearly a person sees distant objects.

The next method of examination of the eye, which is suitable for diagnosing glaucoma and cataracts, is the slit lamp. This ophthalmic device is used for the purpose of a detailed examination of the structure of the eyes, helps to identify the slightest pathology of the cornea ³ .

Computerized perimetry also helps to detect vision problems. This method of ophthalmic diagnostics allows the doctor to assess the boundaries of the patient’s field of view, to identify ophthalmic and neurological diseases such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, damage to the optic nerve.

Treatment of blindness in humans

Depending on the diagnosis, treatment of blindness in humans can be conservative or surgical.

If the disease is detected at an early stage, then in patients with cataracts, the chances of restoring vision are high. In this case, it is necessary to carry out an operation to replace the lens in a timely manner.

In case of retinal detachment, emergency fixation of the retina to the choroid is effective.

Patients with glaucoma are helped by medications that lower intraocular pressure. In difficult cases, surgery is indicated.

If the optic nerve is damaged, it will not be possible to restore vision, and the patient needs to be helped to adapt to a blind lifestyle.

Of course, the treatment in each case is individual and is carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist.

Prevention of blindness in humans at home

The main rule of prevention is to protect eyesight. Avoid working in poor lighting and overexertion, regularly rest your eyes and do special exercises. A set of simple exercises with blinking, focus on near and far objects can be done by children and adults. This is a simple method of preventing blindness in humans, accessible to everyone.

For those who work with chemicals or are at risk of getting foreign objects in their eyes, it is important to follow the rules of safe work and wear safety goggles.

Elderly patients need regular preventive eye examinations to detect glaucoma and cataracts at an early stage and start treatment. However, at any age, it is better to undergo an annual examination in a specialized eye clinic using several diagnostic methods.