Eye Health: The Major Signs Of Failing Eyesight
Many people don't realize that their vision is starting to fail until it's too late. In fact, most vision issues happen gradually without any clear signs of trouble.
This article highlights five of the most common signs of failing eyesight. It also explains what causes these problems and how you can get help from an optometrist. Keep reading to learn more!
Difficulty Seeing at Night
One of the earliest signs of failing eyesight is difficulty seeing at night. This problem happens because the pupil is less responsive to light as you age. Also, night blindness can indicate a more serious problem, such as cataracts. Cataracts are a clouding of the eye's lens, which makes it harder to see. As a result, your vision will become blurrier, and you'll have trouble seeing in low-light conditions.
If you notice this problem, see an optometrist right away. They can perform a series of eye tests to determine the cause of your night vision problems. This way, you can get the treatment you need to improve your vision.
Blurry Vision
Blurry vision can happen for several reasons, including refractive error and cataracts. Refractive error is when the eye cannot focus light properly. This problem occurs because the eye is not shaped correctly or the cornea is not curved properly. As a result, light rays are not focused on the retina, which causes blurry vision.
As mentioned earlier, cataracts are a clouding of the eye's lens. This condition makes it difficult to see clearly because light cannot pass through the lens properly. Cataracts usually develop slowly, so you might not notice the problem at first. However, as the cataract grows, your vision will become increasingly blurry.
If you notice that your vision is getting blurrier, schedule an eye exam with your optometrist. They can prescribe glasses or contact lenses to help you see more clearly. But in some cases, surgery may be necessary to improve your vision.
Difficulty Focusing on Close Objects
If you start to notice that it's difficult to focus on close objects, this could be a sign of failing eyesight. The problem is called presbyopia, and it's a normal part of aging. Presbyopia occurs when the eye lens becomes less flexible over time. As a result, it's much harder to focus on close objects.
If you have trouble reading or doing other close-up work, visit your optometrist. They can perform specialized eye exams and prescribe reading glasses or bifocals that will help you see more clearly.
In some cases, presbyopia can be treated with surgery. This procedure (refractive surgery) changes the shape of the eye so that light is focused correctly on the retina. But it isn't an option for everyone. Be sure to talk to your optometry specialist about the risks and benefits before you decide.