Vision changes can be sneaky.
It’s true: Humans have a remarkable ability to adjust to subtle changes in the senses – often without realizing they’re doing it. This is certainly the case with visual changes, which people often either don’t notice, or simply accept as a natural part of life.
Sometimes it takes objective observations from someone else to bring vision changes into focus. If you notice the following changes in someone you know – or in yourself – consider whether there could be an eye issue in play.
- They’re blinking, tearing and squinting.
Most people over the age of 40 eventually encounter “short-arm syndrome.” It’s when age-related nearsightedness – called presbyopia – takes hold and we have to hold objects further away to bring them into focus. This happens to everyone eventually. Prescription eyeglasses or a pair of “cheater-readers” provide an easy fix.
Pay attention, however, if you notice this in someone who is young, or they are squinting, blinking, tearing up or holding objects too close or too far away, suddenly or more than usual. These can all be signs of a worsening refractive error, dry eye syndrome or some other visual disturbance.
- They’ve become more reclusive.
Changes or problems with eyesight can make normal activities uncomfortable. Someone who once enjoyed softball may drop out when nearsightedness interferes with their game. An avid game-player may stop showing up on Bingo night when they have trouble reading the cards.
If you notice a friend or loved one avoiding social gatherings or favorite pastimes despite appearing to be in good general health, it could just be that they can no longer see as well as they used to.
- They’re having more accidents.
When someone starts showing up with a batch of fresh bruises, don’t assume the worst. If they report bumping into furniture or tripping over things they didn’t see, it may be vision related. Conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy can cause blurry vision and blind spots that lead to mishaps.
- Those baby-blues just look different.
It’s common for our eyes to change in appearance as we age. Usually, though, these changes are gradual and predictable. Pay attention to specific changes to eyes, particularly if they are sudden or are accompanied by headaches, vision loss or other symptoms:
- Redness
- Uneven pupils
- Spots in the sclera (the white part of the eye)
- Changes in the color of the iris
If someone you know experiences any of these changes, encourage them to make an appointment with an eye doctor to ensure their eyes are healthy. They may simply need to update their eyeglasses or contact lens prescription – or they could be a candidate for permanent vision correction through SoftTouch LASIK or the SMILE procedure at Lake Lazer Eye Center.
Lake Lazer Eye Center offers up-front pricing, and convenient and affordable payment plans for SoftTouch LASIK and the SMILE procedure. Dr. Khambati has helped thousands of people from all over the world escape the restrictions of glasses and contacts. In the event that you’re not a candidate for vision correction, we’ll assist you with a contact lens evaluation or a selection of designer and specialty eyewear.
