If you’ve noticed vision changes, like struggling to read small print or difficulty seeing clearly in low-light conditions, you’re not alone. Changes in eyesight are a natural part of aging, but there are also other surprising reasons why our vision can deteriorate. In this post, we’ll explore some unexpected reasons you may have these experiences and, more importantly, what you can do about it.
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Types of Vision Changes
1. Sudden Vision Changes
If you experience sudden and startling changes to your vision, such as blurring, double vision, partial or complete blindness, distortions, halos and blind spots, you should seek emergency help. All of these signs could indicate serious health issues that could require immediate attention.
2. Gradual Vision Changes
You may also experience a gradual change in your vision that might continue to worsen or remain the same. These changes can include the following:
- A lack of sharpness
- A shift in the way you see things either close by or at a distance
- Difficulty reading or seeing from the corners of your eyes
- Difficulty seeing at night
These vision problems should be assessed as soon as possible to rule out more serious health issues. Your eye doctor can then give you the corrective lenses required to improve your vision.
3. Vision Interference
Some people experience interference with their vision, such as flecks and spots, halos, shadows, or tunnel vision. All of these experiences require immediate attention, and you should contact your eye doctor for an appointment as soon as possible. An assessment will be necessary to determine what is causing the vision problems in order to offer treatment.
Reasons Your Eyesight is Changing
1. Digital Eye Strain
In today’s digital age, we spend more and more time staring at screens. Whether it’s our laptops, smartphones, tablets, or televisions, these devices have become an integral part of our daily lives. However, this constant exposure can lead to digital eye strain, which is a type of discomfort that can cause headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision, and neck and shoulder pain.
This condition is caused by prolonged exposure to the blue light emitted by digital devices, which can disrupt our natural sleep-wake cycle and affect our vision. Some common electronics that can contribute to eye strain include:
- Laptops and computers
- Smartphones and tablets
- TVs
2. Poor Nutrition
Poor nutrition can contribute to vision changes in several ways. For example:
- Nutrient deficiencies: Certain nutrients are essential for maintaining good vision and preventing eye diseases. For example, a deficiency in vitamin A can lead to night blindness, while low vitamin C can lead to weak blood vessels in the eye.
- Oxidative stress: This occurs when there is an imbalance between unstable molecules (free radicals) and antioxidants in the body. Without enough antioxidants, oxidative stress can lead to a damaged retina and an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).