The deterioration of vision can be a consequence of age, a disease or a genetic predisposition. This problem can be treated with the help of corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses), medications, or surgery. If you have vision problems, it is important to see a doctor.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Identify the Symptoms of Vision Loss
Step 1. Notice if you squint
You may happen to do this if you have difficulty seeing well. People with vision problems often have eyeballs, corneas, or retinas of different shapes than normal. This physical malformation prevents light from entering the eye properly and causes blurry vision. Squinting reduces the curvature of the light and increases the clarity of vision.
Step 2. Watch out for headaches
This discomfort can be caused by eye fatigue, which occurs when they are subjected to excessive stress. Activities that cause fatigue include: driving, staring at the television or computer for a long time, reading, etc.
Step 3. Do you see double?
It may happen that you see two images of the same object, with one eye or with both. Double vision can be caused by an irregular shape of the cornea, cataracts or astigmatism.
Step 4. Notice the halos of light
Halos are bright circles surrounded by light sources, such as car headlights. They typically occur in dark environments, such as at night or in rooms with no light. They can be caused by myopia, hyperopia, cataract, astigmatism or presbyopia.
Step 5. Notice the presence of glare
Do you happen to see a light source entering your eye during the day without improving your vision? The flare can be caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness, cataracts, astigmatism, or presbyopia.
Step 6. Do you have blurry vision?
This phenomenon, which can occur in one eye or both, is due to the loss of firmness of the eye, which affects the clarity of vision. It is one of the most common symptoms of myopia.
Step 7. Watch out for night blindness
The inability to see at night or in dark rooms is usually made worse by staying in a very bright environment. It can be caused by cataracts, myopia, certain medications, vitamin A deficiency, retinal problems or birth defects.
Method 2 of 4: Learn to Know the Most Common Vision Disorders
Step 1. Recognize myopia
This defect makes it more difficult to see distant objects. It occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, and as a result, light is reflected unnaturally on the retina, causing blurry vision.
Step 2. Recognize hyperopia
This vision defect makes it more difficult to see nearby objects. It occurs when the eyeball is too short or the cornea is not curved enough.
Step 3. Identify astigmatism
In this case the eye cannot concentrate the light in the retina in the correct way. As a result, the objects are blurry and stretched. The defect is caused by an irregular shape of the cornea.
Step 4. Identify presbyopia
Usually, this defect occurs with age (over 35) and makes it more difficult for the eye to focus on objects. It is caused by a loss of flexibility and thickness of the lens within the eye.
Method 3 of 4: Go to the Doctor
Step 1. Get tested
Diagnosis of vision problems is made through a series of tests known as a complete eye exam.
- To begin with, the visual acuity test is performed to determine the accuracy of sight. You will be seated in front of a board with different letters of the alphabet, varying in size depending on the line on which they are marked. The larger ones are at the top and the smaller ones at the bottom. The exam tests your near vision, which is evaluated by considering the smallest line that you can read comfortably, without straining your eyes.
- An assessment of the predisposition to hereditary color blindness is also performed;
- Your eyes will be covered one at a time, in order to quantify their ability to work together. The doctor will ask you to focus on a small object with one eye and cover the other. This test allows us to understand if the uncovered eye has to refocus the image to see the object. In this case, you could suffer from extreme eye strain and lead to a "lazy eye".
- Finally, the examination is performed to determine the health of your eyes. For this purpose, the doctor conducts a test with a special light. You are made to rest your chin on a headrest, connected to this light. The exam is used to analyze the front of the eye (the cornea, eyelids, and iris) and the inside (retina and optic nerve).
Step 2. Get tested for glaucoma
This disease consists of increased pressure in the eye, which can lead to blindness. The test is performed by blowing air into the eye to measure its pressure.
Step 3. Get your eyes dilated
It is normal practice for your eyes to be dilated during the doctor's examination. This procedure consists of using a special eye drops that can widen the pupils. It is useful for identifying the symptoms of diabetes, hypertension, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
- The dilation of the pupils usually lasts a few hours.
- Wear sunglasses, as bright sunlight can be dangerous when you have dilated pupils. The action of the eye drops does not cause pain, but it can be annoying.
Step 4. Wait for the test to finish
A complete eye exam can take an hour or two. Although almost all results are immediate, the doctor may request further tests. In that case, ask how long you will have to wait.
Step 5. Get a prescription for eyeglasses
The choice of lenses is made following a refraction test. Your doctor will let you try on a set of lenses and ask you which one allows you to see more clearly. This exam determines the severity of your nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, or astigmatism.
Method 4 of 4: Medical Treatments
Step 1. Wear prescription glasses
Vision problems are mainly caused by the incorrect focus of the light inside the eye. Corrective lenses help to direct the light on the retina in the right way.
Step 2. Wear contact lenses
These are small lenses designed to be brought into direct contact with the eye, which float on the surface of the cornea.
- You can choose from many different options, such as daily (disposable) or monthly lenses.
- Some contact lenses come in different colors and are meant for specific types of eyes. Consult your doctor to choose the most suitable model for you.
Step 3. Correct your vision with surgery
Glasses and contact lenses are the methods most used by those with vision problems, but the surgery is gaining more and more popularity. There are many different types of interventions for the eye; the two most common are known as Lasik and PRK.
- In severe cases, where the lenses are not strong enough to improve vision, surgery is suggested. In other situations, the operation can replace long-term use of glasses.
- The term Lasik is the acronym of the expression Laser-Assisted In situ Keratomileusis (in Italian: laser-assisted keratomileusis in situ). This surgery is used to correct myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and allows the patient to no longer have to wear glasses. The operation can be performed by all adults who have had a prescription for corrective lenses for more than a year. Nonetheless, almost all doctors recommend that you wait at least 25 years before surgery because your eyes change until that age.
- The PRK technique is known as PhotoRetracrive Kertectomy, refractive photokeratectomy. It is similar to the Lasik technique, in that it treats myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. The age requirements are the same as for Lasik surgery.
Step 4. Determine if you are eligible for drug therapy
For the most common vision problems (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia) no drugs are used. For more severe ones, your doctor may prescribe pills or eye drops. If you need further treatment, ask your eye doctor for advice.
Advice
- If you feel your eyesight is getting worse, schedule a visit to the eye doctor right away.
- Follow the doctor's orders.
- Find out more about your specific problem.
- If you have the option of having surgery, ask what your recovery time is.
- If you are prescribed medication, be sure to ask what the side effects are.
- Get regular eye exams. It is recommended to have a complete eye exam every 2-3 years before the age of 50. If you are older, visit your eye doctor every year.
- Consider family history. The sooner your symptoms are identified, the better the treatment results.
- Follow a healthy diet. There are some foods that contain essential nutrients for eye health, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Supplement your diet with vegetables like kale and spinach.
- Protect your eyes. Always keep a pair of sunglasses with you. They will help protect your eyes from the dangerous ultraviolet rays emanating from the sun.
Warnings
- Make sure you are familiar with all of your medical conditions. In some cases, vision loss is caused by other diseases.
- Consider the most serious diseases that cause vision problems: neurological disorders, diabetes, autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, myasthenia, etc.).
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you suspect you have vision problems.
