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Symptoms of visual impairment in children, adults, pregnancy
Last reviewed: 12.07.2025
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Today, more and more people are turning to ophthalmologists with complaints of worsening vision. This problem is becoming more and more acute every day and does not lose its relevance. Vision deteriorates not only in the elderly, but also in young people and even in children. Every year, there is a tendency for this defect to become more and more rejuvenated. Patients are becoming younger every year.
It is not surprising, because in our age of digital technologies the workload increases. Tension at work, stress only increases, and the time for proper rest is reduced. Eye hygiene is completely ignored today. A person works at the computer all day, and in the evening relaxes watching a movie or favorite program in front of the TV or at the computer.
It is possible to recognize the pathology in a timely manner and take the necessary measures only by knowing the main symptoms that can manifest as decreased vision.
The risk group primarily includes people whose professional activities involve working on a computer. In second place are people whose work requires high concentration of attention, as well as a high level of visual focus. These are people who work with small objects, with magnifying devices, microscopes. The third group includes people working in enterprises. Where there is a great strain on the eyes, where there are a large number of irritating factors. For example, people working with flashes, bright light, sudden changes in light, welding. People who have to deal with poisonous and toxic chemicals, dust, vapors are also at risk.
The risk group includes people who have once undergone eye surgery, suffer from diabetes, cervical osteochondrosis. People who constantly take certain medications, as well as those suffering from nervous disorders, mental illnesses, and brain pathologies. For example, people taking isoniazid risk quickly losing their sight.
For other common causes of vision loss, read this article.
Signs of deteriorating vision
The first and main symptom is hard to miss. A person cannot see the image or object he needs. When reading, the letters merge and are impossible to make out. If a person used to see objects clearly and distinctly, then with the disorder the image will be blurred, unclear, and indistinct. Only silhouettes and general features may be visible on distant objects.
It is important to note the type of changes. In some cases, a person sees only those objects that are far away from him, but cannot clearly see those objects that are close. In others, it may be exactly the opposite: a person sees only those objects that are close to him, but cannot see distant objects.
In some cases, a person sees well at night, but cannot see a single object during the day. In others, it is the opposite.
There are often cases when a person does not complain about his vision at all when he looks straight ahead, but is unable to see anything when he looks away, changes position, turns his head. The perception of colors may be impaired. Sometimes poor vision is observed only in bright light, or in its absence.
Another symptom is tearfulness and painful sensations that occur with prolonged fixation, and when a person simply focuses his gaze on a certain object for a long time.
The first symptoms should be a decrease in visual acuity. A person cannot see an object, the image blurs and becomes unclear. Sometimes pain and stinging in the eyes can be felt. Circles and spots can appear before the eyes. The appearance of such symptoms should immediately alert and become a reason to contact an ophthalmologist.
Sudden deterioration of vision
It can worsen sharply with trauma, damage to the retina, inflammation and tumors of the optic nerve. There are many reasons for acute deterioration of vision, so when the first signs appear, it is necessary to find out the cause of the pathology as quickly as possible and carry out the necessary treatment. Sometimes surgery is required. Only early diagnosis guarantees the success of therapy and a favorable prognosis.
Age-related vision loss
With age, the eye undergoes age-related changes. The number of light-perceiving cells and enzymes responsible for normal vision decreases. The retina and optic nerve are subject to degenerative processes.
Vision loss can occur as a result of the nerve losing sensitivity or distorting the signal coming from the brain. Changes can occur in the corresponding part of the brain that regulates visual processes, is responsible for processing the sound signal and converting it into a visual image.
Degenerative processes, sclerosis, can also develop against the background of impaired cerebral circulation, as a result of which the retina experiences a lack of oxygen and nutrients, an excess of carbon dioxide and harmful metabolic products.
Deterioration of vision in one eye
Age-related changes almost always begin with a decrease in vision in one eye. Only then, after some time, the pathological process spreads to the second eye. Also, the reason that the condition of only one eye worsens is an injury or disease. Often, such pathologies manifest themselves with retinal detachment, damage to the cornea or lens, as well as with ambiolipsia, strabismus, vascular thrombus. Diabetic reticulopathy, which is a complication of diabetes mellitus, can manifest itself in a similar way.
The deterioration begins with one eye, gradually the pathology spreads to the second eye. When the pathology is not related to age, the cause may be a violation of cerebral circulation, injury, disease. In this case, which eye will be affected depends on the localization of the pathological process. So, if the right vessel of the brain is affected and there is a violation of blood circulation in the right lobe of the brain, then vision will also decrease in the right eye.
Temporary and short-term deterioration of vision
Often this is a sign not of a permanent disease, but of a temporary, short-term pathology.
The main reason is overfatigue, which occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to irrational loads. In medicine, they use such a term as asthenopia. It is observed in people who are forced to work at a computer for a long time, drive a car. Especially if it happens at night.
Watching TV for hours, reading in low light, in transport while moving, in the wrong position leads to muscle fatigue. Which causes pain and tearing. Gradually, changes occur in the muscle, it weakens. The image becomes blurry, a veil appears before the eyes, clouding. All this happens together with dizziness.
Another cause of temporary visual impairment is false myopia, which is a spasm of accommodation. In this case, the child has poor vision only in one position - either far away or close up. The main cause of the disorder is often a disease called "night blindness". The cause of pathological processes in the eye and decreased vision is a metabolic disorder, in particular, a pathology of vitamin metabolism. With this disease, twilight vision is impaired. A person loses the ability to navigate in space, the perception of colors is also distorted, which can be both an innate and an acquired property.
Temporary decrease, can occur with vascular spasm, migraine and increased intraocular pressure. These pathologies can be observed as combined, or be completely independent diseases. If visual impairment occurs periodically, in bursts, then the cause is spasm, chronic vasculitis, various vascular anomalies, blood diseases, spine, atherosclerosis.
Over time, secondary pathologies may also appear: the functioning of the heart and intestines may be disrupted.
Deterioration of vision at dusk
In the dark, vision decreases mainly in older people. A person notices that his eyes have become worse at adapting to the darkness. There is disorientation and painful blindness when turning on or off the lights. On the street, evening lights merge, and the headlights blind and even frighten. This condition occurs with degenerative processes in the retina. Decreased vision at night is a normal reaction of the human eye, since with age the amount of rhodopsin, which is responsible for eye adaptation and color perception, decreases. There is also a slowdown in metabolic processes, aging of cellular structures, and weakening of the eye muscle. Such changes begin mainly after 60 years. This happens because over time, the lens thickens and its density increases. At the same time, transparency decreases. Light rays are partially scattered. Usually they are projected onto the cornea and come into contact with the optic nerve there. In pathology, the rays are scattered, projected in other areas.
When the first signs of night blindness appear, you should consult a doctor, which will make it possible to eliminate the pathology and slow down the progression of the disease, promptly diagnose and prevent cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
Double vision, vision impairment
The condition is called diplopia. This pathology manifests itself as a doubling of the perceived object, which occurs in all directions, even diagonally. The reason is the disruption of normal muscle work. Desynchronization develops, which manifests itself as the inability of the eye to simultaneously concentrate on the same object. A classic example is strabismus, in which a person cannot direct his gaze to one point, in the center, since there is a divergence.
The cause is sometimes alcohol abuse, intoxication, some drugs, a blow to the head. Sometimes double vision is caused by damage to the optic nerves and the corresponding part of the brain.
Eye fatigue and vision impairment
Overstrain and fatigue occur when working at a computer for a long time. Chronic eye fatigue is an occupational disease of people who have to spend a lot of time working at a computer. At first, their blinking frequency decreases, then the eye stops being properly moistened. At first, a feeling of eye fatigue appears, then vision deteriorates first in one eye. Gradually, the pathology spreads to the other eye.
The best treatment and prevention of fatigue is rest, during which you need to do eye exercises, light eye massage (palping). It is necessary to regularly use moisturizing eye drops, use protective computer glasses, take vitamins.
The main elements that support normal vision are blueberries and lutein. These measures should become daily for people engaged in intellectual activities. Against the background of eye fatigue, headaches and a decline in overall well-being may develop.
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Deterioration of memory and vision
Memory usually deteriorates with degenerative and sclerotic processes in the brain. Various parts may suffer, including the part responsible for normal vision and the functioning of the eye analyzer.
Memory loss always occurs against the background of circulatory disorders. This leads to a decrease in vascular tone, insufficient blood supply to internal organs, including the eye. The retina is especially sensitive to the lack of oxygen and nutrients. It is from it that degenerative processes begin to develop, which subsequently lead to the deterioration of the main processes.
Headaches and blurred vision
When the first signs of a headache appear, you should immediately contact a doctor for diagnosis and necessary treatment. Pain may indicate inflammation of the nerve or the development of a tumor. Headache may also indicate high intracranial or arterial pressure, the development of hypertension.
Nausea and blurred vision
Nausea is one of the symptoms of glaucoma. Nausea may also indicate poisoning with strong chemicals or alcohol. Nausea may occur with a sharp increase in blood pressure, with the development of tumors. Nausea may also be a consequence of trauma, brain damage. If you have such symptoms, you should contact a doctor as soon as possible for routine or emergency care.
Weakness and deterioration of vision
Vision can deteriorate for various reasons, including as a result of circulatory disorders. In case of insufficient blood circulation, the body can become intoxicated, oxygen starvation can occur, which results in weakness. Weakness can also indicate anemia, inflammatory processes, and the development of infection.
Dizziness and blurred vision
Dizziness may be a consequence of a disruption in the normal functioning of the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and other parts. If vision is reduced with dizziness, this may be a sign of tumor development.
Deterioration of vision after 40-45 years
After 40 years, age-related degenerative processes begin to develop in the eyes. With age-related vision loss, the lens is no longer able to change curvature at the required level and loses its natural elasticity. Several stages are distinguished.
The first stage is presbolia (a temporary phenomenon, mainly in people aged 30 to 40 years). They experience periodic declines in visual acuity, which occur mainly due to overwork, stress, and exacerbation of chronic diseases. Such declines may not last long. Vision is restored to normal after the impact of incisional factors is eliminated. This stage is characterized by the fact that partial loss of vision can be easily compensated for with the help of bright lighting. The first sign of such a pathology is a person's inability to read standard font from a comfortable distance. Also, when shifting the gaze from a distant object to a close one, the image becomes blurred.
The second stage is typical for people aged 40 to 50 years. These people develop a constant, steady decline in vision. A gradual decrease in visual acuity is observed. At first, a person can only see objects at a short distance. Then, he clearly sees only silhouettes until the object approaches quite close.
After 65 years, the eye's accommodation disorder develops. The ability of the lens to adjust the curvature of the crystalline lens to the needs of the human eye practically disappears. This is due to the fact that the lens gradually loses elasticity and changes curvature. This also indicates a loss of tone. The muscle is not able to control the curvature of the lens.
Eye pain, vision impairment
It develops with various inflammatory and infectious processes of the cornea, mucous membrane of the eye. This often happens with conjunctivitis, damage, trauma, eye burns.
Deterioration of hearing and vision
With pinched nerves, osteochondrosis, inflammation and infections, congenital pathologies of the brain, hearing and vision loss develops. Often, special therapy aimed at normalizing brain function is required for recovery.
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Deterioration of near vision
If a person has poor near vision but good long-range vision, this makes it possible to diagnose farsightedness. This disease means the inability of the eye to adapt normally at close range.
In medical practice, the official diagnosis is hypermetropia. The disease implies that the image will be formed outside the retina.
This is an unnatural condition of the eye. Acquired farsightedness is considered a pathological process that is formed as a result of exposure to various unfavorable factors, with failure to observe vision hygiene.
A complication of pathological farsightedness is often an increase in intraocular pressure.
Periodic deterioration of vision
Vision may periodically deteriorate with fatigue, against the background of chronic stress, nervous strain. Periodic vision impairment is observed in people who suffer from neuropsychiatric diseases, nervousness, as well as in those whose professional activities are associated with working at a computer, eye strain. As a rule, after a good rest, stress relief, vision is restored. Also, a noticeable improvement in vision is observed after doing eye gymnastics, breathing and relaxation exercises.
In some cases, periodic visual impairment may indicate the onset of a serious eye, brain or nervous system disease. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo an examination as soon as possible and determine the cause of the pathology. This will make it possible to prescribe the necessary treatment in a timely manner and prevent further development of the pathology.
Also, periodic visual impairment may be a sign of approaching age-related degenerative processes in the retina. Usually, such periodic decline begins at the age of 30-40 years. This is the first stage of age-related transformations. The first sign is the inability to read at the usual distance and blurriness of objects.
Deterioration of vision in the morning
Vision may deteriorate in the morning in people suffering from hypotension. Low blood pressure reduces vascular tone and disrupts the normal supply of oxygen and nutrients to the retina. Vision may decline in the morning in a pregnant woman with a pathology of the organ of vision, which indicates low blood pressure and a change in the level of hormones in the blood. A similar condition can also develop with cervical osteochondrosis and other pathologies of the spine, especially with pinched blood vessels and nerves.
Convulsions and blurred vision
Convulsions are a powerful spasm during which blood vessels and nerves are compressed. This leads to circulatory disorders, hypoxia and disruption of nervous regulation. The tone of blood vessels changes. As a result, the activity of analyzers may be disrupted, including vision loss.
Deterioration of vision during pregnancy
An ophthalmologist consultation is one of the mandatory consultations for a pregnant woman. If a problem is detected, the doctor prescribes the necessary treatment. It is especially dangerous if there are dystrophic processes in the eye, the retina is damaged, there are ruptures or detachments. The pathology can be eliminated by laser coagulation. If retinal detachment occurs, surgical intervention is required.
Consultations are held due to the fact that pregnancy is often accompanied by the appearance of flies, circles, light, blurred vision, distorted silhouettes, become blurry. Strabismus is often observed. Ophthalmologists advise resorting to cesarean section in case of myopia with indicators of more than 6 diopters. Below this threshold, natural childbirth is quite acceptable. However, the indications for cesarean section include pathological processes that occur with myopia. This includes retinal detachment. Caesarean section is performed if a woman has only one sighted eye, and with previously operated retinal detachment.
Deterioration of vision in children
In children, vision most often deteriorates as a result of weakening of the eye muscle. Today, more and more schoolchildren have reduced vision. Violations are observed even at preschool age. Two thirds of children graduate from school with vision loss. At the stage of receiving post-school education, every second student has a visual impairment.
Today, there are many ways to correct vision. Laser vision correction opens up huge prospects for children. But the operation is contraindicated until the age of 16. But in addition to surgical methods of correction, there are also many ways to maintain and restore. It is necessary to perform special exercises aimed at training the eye muscle, relaxing tense areas. This helps restore vision, prevents further deterioration.
It is also important to follow the rules of eye hygiene. The child should study only at the desk, should maintain the correct distance between the eyes and the book or notebook. Timely correction is very important for the child, since the development of vision pathology in childhood entails serious mental problems. The child may develop an inferiority complex, the child becomes withdrawn, stops communicating with peers, is shy. This affects the child's further development and academic performance.
It is also important to eat right, observe the work and rest regime. The diet should include the required amount of nutrients, vitamins and microelements.
Stages and types
Vision deterioration occurs in three stages. The first is presbolia, during which periodic, temporary vision loss develops. This usually happens due to overwork and stress. If you have a good rest and do eye exercises, vision can be restored. Also, with exacerbations of various diseases, vision loss is possible.
At the second stage, there is a periodic decrease in vision, which becomes relatively stable, occurs on a permanent basis. In this case, a person sees poorly at a certain time of day, and the image becomes blurred. A person sees only silhouettes, but cannot see a detailed image. Sometimes double vision develops before the eyes. Usually, this condition occurs during the day, at work, and when constantly busy. During rest, vacation, the condition noticeably improves.
At the third stage, there is a permanent visual impairment. The accommodation of the eye is impaired, the muscle becomes atonic, the curvature of the lens and its elasticity change noticeably. Vision during rest does not change, it remains as low as before. It is almost impossible to restore without special therapy.
Deterioration of peripheral vision
Peripheral vision is the type of vision in the formation of which the peripheral structures of the brain take direct part. It enables a person to navigate in space and perceive white light well. Provides a view within an angle of 120 degrees. Allows one to examine an object when reflecting light from it hits the peripheral areas of the eye. The development of pathological phenomena is primarily caused by the appearance of non-functioning areas. The patient perceives black spots in front of him, or certain areas simply fall out of the field of vision. A narrowing of the visual fields is a fairly common phenomenon. This is one of the main signs of a disorder of the lateral structures.
Often a small island appears before the eyes. A person has the impression that he cannot see the whole world, but we look at it through a telescope. Observing only those areas that are directly in front of the eyes. This phenomenon is known to science under the term tunnel vision. Often, peripheral vision is impaired as a result of trauma to the eye vessels, inflammation, stratification, which has quite serious consequences. Often, peripheral vision is impaired as a result of a neoplasm, mechanical or chemical damage, disease, inflammation, in which the areas of the brain responsible for innervation are damaged.
Deterioration of peripheral vision
This is a type of vision in which perception occurs with the help of the peripheral structures of the eye - the most important components of the eye. It is represented by fixed indicators for each person. Quite often, there is a partial loss of visual fields. Such areas are called scotomas. A distinction is made between physiological (natural) scotomas and pathological ones, which occur when vision is impaired. With this form of pathology, a person, for example, can read normally, but is not able to orientate himself in space. If peripheral vision is impaired, it is important to diagnose the disease as quickly as possible and begin treatment, otherwise it will progress, up to the loss of vision. To conduct diagnostics, you need to visit an ophthalmologist or a neurologist. Basically, a conclusion from both specialists is required.
To detect deviations, the perimetry method is used. There are 2 types of this method: kinetic and static. Despite the fact that these methods are used quite widely, they are still considered outdated. Today, computer perimetry is increasingly used to conduct research, which allows for extremely accurate diagnosis of pathology using special programs.
Who to contact?
Diagnostics
In order to diagnose changes in the visual organ, it is necessary to visit an ophthalmologist. He will conduct an examination, check visual acuity, prescribe the necessary laboratory and instrumental studies. The goal is to determine the cause that provoked the decrease in vision. If several diseases have similar manifestations, and it is impossible to accurately determine the cause, differential diagnostics are carried out. Only after this can the necessary treatment be prescribed, aimed at eliminating the cause and correcting the damage that has occurred.
Tests
To determine the overall picture of what is happening in the body, a clinical blood and urine test will be required. Clarifying results can be obtained using a biochemical blood test. Special diagnostics aimed at examining the organ of vision are also carried out.
If a bacterial infection is suspected, a bacteriological culture of the lacrimal fluid and the contents of the conjunctival sac can be performed. If necessary, biomicroscopy is performed.
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Instrumental diagnostics
Instrumental technologies are the basis for establishing a diagnosis in case of vision deterioration. A complete picture of what is happening can be obtained by measuring the productivity of the lacrimal glands. Computer keratotopography and echobiometry are most often used for this purpose. Pachymetry measures the angle of curvature and thickness of the cornea.
A practically universal method that provides basic diagnostic information is the study of the fundus. In parallel, the optic nerve disk is examined. According to the indications, the intraocular pressure is measured. The refractive capabilities of the eye can be determined, visual acuity can be measured, andan ultrasound examination of the eye can be performed.
Differential diagnostics
Differential diagnostics is based on the need to differentiate eye diseases from other diseases that contribute to vision loss. This requires a consultation with an ophthalmologist who will conduct a comprehensive examination of the eye using a wide range of methods. After this, a conclusion will be made, based on the results of which it will be possible to establish an accurate diagnosis and determine the cause of the pathology.
Vision correction methods
The main methods of treating vision deterioration are conservative and radical therapy. If necessary, vitamin therapy, medications, and normalization of metabolism are used. Basically, such therapy is required in the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes.
It is also necessary to simultaneously treat the underlying disease that led to vision loss or eliminate the factors that contribute to the development of the pathology. During conservative treatment, contact lenses and glasses are used.
With the help of glasses correction, it is possible to correct various complex pathologies of vision, such as astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia. Glasses also allow to eliminate farsightedness, to provide prevention of strabismus and to reduce the degree of its severity. Glasses are very effective, but have certain disadvantages. They significantly limit the field of vision, create obstacles in some types of work, are the cause of many inconveniences when playing sports.
Lenses are preferred by people who value their appearance. The method is also quite effective, but has many side effects and contraindications. Thus, lenses cannot be worn if inflammatory and infectious diseases develop in the eye, or if there is a tendency to conjunctivitis. Lenses increase the risk of developing bacterial, protozoal, and fungal infections. A major disadvantage is the disruption of normal air circulation in the eye, and, accordingly, gas and substance exchange is disrupted. Modern ophthalmology can offer new generation lenses that are breathable.
In the early stages, massages and eye exercises are performed, which help to normalize blood circulation and increase the contractile activity of the eye muscle.
Exercises to improve vision in case of myopia
Hardware methods allow you to practice on special installations that train your eyes. Exercises are performed under the supervision of an instructor. They can be done both with and without glasses.
In many cases, the problem can only be eliminated if the underlying disease that causes vision loss is eliminated. For example, if a tumor is the cause of vision loss, it must be removed immediately, and then special antitumor therapy must be administered. If inflammation of the optic nerve is the cause, the inflammatory process must first be removed.
Complications
If visual impairment is not treated, the situation will only worsen. Vision does not recover on its own. The disease may progress to complete blindness. Also, deterioration of vision may be a sign of such serious diseases as cataracts, glaucoma, tumors and inflammation of the eye. They may worsen to such a stage that treatment is impossible.
Prevention
To prevent vision impairment, you need to follow hygiene requirements when working on a computer, during intense work. There are special computer glasses that prevent vision impairment. They are intended for those who have to spend a lot of time at the computer.
Every 2 hours you need to take mandatory breaks of 10-15 minutes. At this time, it is advisable to do general physical exercises or gymnastics for the eyes. You can just look out the window for a while in order to switch your eye to distant vision.
Green is good for the eyes. It helps to relax the tense eye muscle. Therefore, it is necessary to keep green plants at the workplace, to which you should periodically switch your gaze. You can put a green card in front of you, which you should periodically look at without taking your eyes off for 5-10 minutes.
It is necessary to ensure that the food is complete, contains a sufficient amount of vitamins and carotenoids, see Healthy and harmful products for vision. A good night's sleep is important. The optimal duration of sleep ranges from 6 to 8 hours. Both excessive sleep and its lack have a negative effect not only on the quality of vision, but also on the condition of the body as a whole. Also, for prevention, it is necessary to take special vitamin complexes designed to restore vision and maintain normal functioning of the eye.
Forecast
Deterioration of vision is a serious problem, the solution to which requires considerable effort. Therapy and vision hygiene are needed. Regular physical exercise and eye exercises are necessary. This is the only way to achieve positive results. If no measures are taken, the prognosis will be unfavorable, since vision does not recover on its own. The disease can only progress.