10 Warning Signs of Vision Problems

Many people believe that vision problems occur mostly as you age. Although older individuals are at increased risk for several eye diseases, vision problems can occur at any age.

It is important to know the symptoms of potential vision problems to avoid permanent vision loss. Review this list of 10 warning signs:

1. Eye pain, redness, nausea or vomiting that comes on suddenly – Common symptoms of narrow-angle glaucoma, which can damage permanently the eye’s optic nerve; immediately seek medical assistance
2. Loss of color vision, seeing halos around lights at night, cloudy or blurred vision – May be early signs of cataracts; schedule if left untreated, these symptoms can lead to permanent vision loss
3. Gradual loss of central vision, distorted vision – Possible symptoms of age-related macular degeneration that could result in blindness; medical treatments are available
4. Spots and floaters – Seeing these in your vision usually is not a significant concern, but could be signs of vitreous detachment, an age-related condition that occurs when the interior of the eye liquefies and separates from the retina
5. Narrowed field of vision – May be a symptom of glaucoma, a disease that damages the optic nerve; if left untreated, it could result in permanent blindness
6. Double vision – If these symptoms occur suddenly, they may be a sign of stroke
7. Sudden blurry vision in one eye – Usually the sign of a macular hole that has developed in the retina, which controls fine vision focusing; most often occurs after age 60; could lead to vision loss if not treated
8. Blind spots in vision, along with floaters and blurry vision – Could be an indication of the early onset of diabetes retinopathy
9. Scratchy or irritated eye surface – Common signs of dry eye syndrome; symptoms can be severe; consult your eye doctor for treatment
10. Experiencing a dark curtain over your vision – Symptom of retina detachment; immediately seek medical attention; permanent vision loss can occur if the retina is not reattached within a few hours

For additional information on how to protect your eyes and avoid vision loss, go to allaboutvision.com or nei.nih.gov/.