How Can I Tell If My Eyes Are Getting Bad? 7 Warning Signs & Symptoms

Recognize and address signs of a serious eye problem

A decrease in eyesight can occur due to age, disease or genetics. Vision loss can be treated with the help of corrective lenses (glasses or contacts), medicine or surgery. If you suspect vision problems it is important to seek medical attention.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Identifying Symptoms of Vision Loss

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This is the act of tightly squeezing the eyes together in an effort to see objects better. People with vision problems often have different shaped eyeballs, cornea, or lens. This physical malformation prevents light from entering into the eye correctly and causes blurry vision. Squinting narrows the curvature of the light and increases the clarity of vision.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceJohns Hopkins MedicineOfficial resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins HospitalGo to source}
Headaches can be caused by eye strain. Eye strains are caused by placing too much stress on the eye. Activities that cause eye strains include: driving, staring at computers/tv for long periods of time, reading etc.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceJohns Hopkins MedicineOfficial resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins HospitalGo to source}
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Double vision is seeing two images of one object. It can occur in one eye or both. Double vision can be caused by having an irregular shaped cornea, cataracts, or astigmatism.^{[3]XResearch source}
A halo is a bright circle surrounded by a source of light, usually headlights. Halos typically occur in dark environments, for example at night or in dark rooms. A halo can be caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness, cataracts, astigmatism, or presbyopia.^{[4]XResearch source}
A glare is a source of light that enters your eye that does not improve vision. A glare typically occurs in the daytime. A glare can be caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness, cataracts, astigmatism, or presbyopia.^{[5]XResearch source}
Blurry vision is the loss of sharpness in the eye which affects the clarity of vision. Blurry vision can occur in one eye or both. It is a symptom of nearsightedness or farsightedness.^{[6]XResearch source}
Night blindness is trouble seeing at night or in dark rooms.This condition is typically made worse when someone has just been in a bright environment. Night blindness can be caused by cataracts, nearsightedness, certain medication, vitamin A deficiency, retina issues and birth defects.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}

Part 2

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Understanding Common Vision Disorders

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Nearsightedness makes it difficult to see objects far away. This is caused by having an eyeball that is too long, or a cornea that is too curved. This affects the way light is reflected on the retina, which causes blurred vision.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of OpthamologistsProfessional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related researchGo to source}
Farsightedness makes it difficult to see objects that are up close. This is caused by having an eyeball that is too short, or a cornea that is not curved enough.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of OpthamologistsProfessional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related researchGo to source}
An Astigmatism is when the eye doesn’t focus light properly into the retina. Astigmatism causes objects to appear blurry and stretched out. It is caused by an irregular shaped cornea.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
This condition typically comes with age (over 40). This condition makes it difficult for the eye to focus on objects clearly. Presbyopia is caused by a loss of flexibility and thickening of the lens inside the eye.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}

Part 3

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Going to the Doctor

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Get tested. Diagnosing vision loss is done by performing a series of tests called a comprehensive eye exam. There are several components to this test.^{[12]XResearch source}
- A visual acuity test is a done to determine the sharpness of your vision. It is done by standing in front an eye chart with several lines of the alphabet. Each line has different sized letters. The largest letters on top and the smallest on the bottom. This examination will test your near vision by determining the smallest line you can read comfortably without strain.
- Screening for hereditary color blindness is part of the exam as well.
- Perform a cover test. This test will determine how well your eyes work together. The doctor will have you focus on a small object with one eye, and cover the other one. The purpose of doing this allows the doctor to determine if the uncovered eye has to re-focus to see the object. If the eye does have to re-focus to see the object, this could indicate extreme eye strain which would cause a “lazy eye”.
- Examine the health of your eyes. To determine the health of your eye, your doctor will perform a slit light test. Your chin will be placed in a chin rest that is connected to a slit light. This test is used to examine the front part of the eye, (cornea, lids, and iris) as well as the inside of the eye (retina, optic nerves).
Glaucoma is an increase in pressure inside the eye (due to increased amounts of fluid) that can lead to blindness. Testing for glaucoma is done by blowing a small burst of air into the eyes and measuring the pressure. Diagnosing glaucoma is very important as it helps you get the right treatment at the right time. ^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of OpthamologistsProfessional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related researchGo to source}
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Get your eyes dilated. It is very common to have your eyes dilated during an eye exam. Dilating the eyes involves placing medicated eye drops in the eye with the purpose of dilating (widening) the pupils. This is done to look for diabetes, high blood pressure, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Dilating the eyes usually last a few hours.
- Bring a pair of shades after the exam, as bright sunlight could be harmful to dilated pupils. The actual dilating of the eyes does not hurt, but it may be uncomfortable.
Comprehensive eye exams can take about 1-2 hours. Although the majority of the test results are immediate, the doctor may want to do further testing. If so consult your healthcare provider for a timetable.
This is done by doing a refraction test. The doctor will show you a series of lens choices and ask which choice is clearer. This test determines the severity of nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia and astigmatism.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Seeking Medical Treatment

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Vision problems are primarily caused by light not focusing properly in the eye. Eyeglasses help redirect the light to focus properly onto the retina.
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Wear contacts. Contacts are smaller lenses that are meant to wear directly on the eye. They float on the surface of the cornea.^{[15]XResearch source}
- There are many options you can choose from, for example some contacts are daily wear (one time use), others are designed to last longer.
- Some contacts come in different colors and are designed for specific types of eyes. Consult your healthcare provider for the appropriate selection to meet your needs.
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Correct vision with surgery. While glasses and contacts are the more traditional method for correcting vision, the surgical method is gaining in popularity as well. There are SEVERAL different type of surgeries for the eye. However the two most common are LASIK and PRK.
- In some cases surgery is suggested because contacts and eyeglasses are not effective enough to improve vision. In other cases corrective surgery is suggested as an option to wearing long term glasses or contacts.
- LASIK is formally known as laser in-situ keratomileusis. This surgery is used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This surgery replaces the need to have contacts or eyeglasses. The FDA has approved LASIK eye surgery to be done on patients 18 years or older with an eye prescription of at least one year. Despite this, most physicians will recommend waiting until the mid-20’s because they eye are still changing.^{[16]XResearch source}
- PRK is formally referred to as photorefractive keratectomy. It is similar to Lasik in that it also treats nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The age requirement for PRK is the same as LASIK.^{[17]XResearch source}
For most common eye conditions, nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia and astigmatism, medication is not used. For more serious problems your healthcare provider may prescribe a medication usually in the form of eye drops or pills. If you need further treatment seek your healthcare provider for more information.^{[18]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of OpthamologistsProfessional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related researchGo to source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
If my eye is in pain and I have a headache does that mean my eyes are going bad?
Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Registered Nurse
Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Registered Nurse
Expert Answer
Common causes of pain behind the eyes are sinus infections and migraine headaches. In the case of a migraine headache, the pain is almost always behind only one eye and is often accompanied by pain elsewhere on the same side of the head. Please consult your physician if the pain persists or you have concerns.
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If my eyes start to hurt when I use a computer, do I need eyeglasses?
Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Registered Nurse
Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Registered Nurse
Expert Answer
According to The Vision Council, more than 10,000 adults found that more than 60% of Americans experience computer eye strain, also known as digital eye strain when using a computer, smartphone and other digital devices. To determine if you need glasses you can see your eye doctor for a "computer vision exam." Your eye doctor will perform tests to determine if you have any vision problems that might contribute to eyestrain when using your computer. Sometimes the doctor prescribes computer eyeglasses to help you work more comfortably! Take a look at this site for more: http://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/faqs.htm
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Tips

If you feel your vision is decreasing, don’t wait go seek medical attention.
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Follow your doctor’s orders.
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Be educated about your specific condition
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Warnings

Understanding all of your medical conditions. In some cases vision loss is caused by other diseases.
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Never drive or operate machinery if you suspect vision problems.
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Being aware of the more serious diseases that cause vision problems:Neurological disorders, diabetes, autoimmune diseases (MS, myasthenia gravis, etc.)
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