What Causes Vision to Deteriorate and Decline: Main Reasons

Many people notice that they have started to see worse and do not know where to turn. Poor vision is not only the inability to make out small print, but also difficulty reading, watching TV, and recognizing faces. An ophthalmologist helps sort out the causes, not guesses from the internet.

What is considered poor vision

Vision impairment is a decrease in the ability to see that is not corrected by ordinary glasses or medications. Doctors assess visual acuity — the ability to distinguish fine details at a distance — and visual fields, that is, the coverage of space to the sides. Poor vision is spoken of when a person cannot read a newspaper at a normal distance even with glasses or cannot distinguish faces across the street. Central vision is distinguished separately, when the middle of the picture disappears, and peripheral vision, when the edges drop out.

What causes vision to deteriorate: common causes

Among the common causes of vision deterioration, cataract is cited — clouding of the lens, in which the image becomes blurry and a glowing halo appears around lamps. Retinal detachment produces spots, streaks, flashes, and shadows, often suddenly. Age-related macular degeneration distorts the center of the picture and makes reading difficult. Diabetic retinopathy gradually worsens vision in diabetes. Glaucoma manifests as blurriness, severe pain, and redness of the eye. There are also other eye diseases, injuries, and congenital features. Vision impairments can also be caused by disorders of the brain and nervous system — then they are called cortical visual impairments.

Age-related vision decline

Old age itself does not deprive a person of vision, but eye diseases leading to vision loss are more common with age. Regular examinations by an ophthalmologist help detect them early, even if there are no complaints yet.

Why vision can decline suddenly

Vision has sharply worsened — a reason not to wait. Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, a dark veil, flashes of light, severe eye pain require urgent help. The cause may be retinal detachment: it produces spots, flashes, and a dark shadow, often suddenly. The earlier a specialist examines the person, the greater the chance of preserving vision.

How vision is checked and when to see a doctor

Vision impairment is detected during an eye examination with pupil dilation. If a disease is suspected, the patient is referred to an ophthalmologist — an eye specialist — for additional examinations. You should seek help if you see worse, cannot distinguish colors, or see poorly at night or in bright light. Early detection and treatment help stop the deterioration.

• It is difficult to read, watch TV, recognize faces
• The eyes react unpleasantly to bright light
• Poor visibility in the dark and in low light
• Spots, streaks, flashes, or shadows have appeared

Vision deterioration by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance. Call 103 or 112 if you have suddenly stopped seeing with one or both eyes or severe eye pain has appeared.

This material is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation: only an ophthalmologist during an examination will say why your vision is declining and what to do next.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer