Eye Disease Warning Signs

Low vision can be caused by injuries or trauma to the eyes but may also develop gradually over a period of time. Aging eyes are more prone to develop vision impairments, and heredity can also play a part. Here are some early warning signs that would indicate that you should seek an eye examination:

• Areas of blurred or distorted (wavy) vision
• Blind spots, shadowed or darkened parts in your vision
• Recurring or sudden eye pain
• A narrowing field of vision or loss of peripheral (side) vision
• A gradual blurring of reading vision
• Cloudy vision or exaggerated “halos” around bright lights
• Double vision
• Complete loss of vision in either eye for any length of time

One of the first signs of macular degeneration, a frequent cause of low vision, can be wavy, broken, or distorted lines OR a blurred or missing area of vision. The Amsler Grid, which looks like a sheet of graph paper, can help you spot these vision changes early. Please note, however, that the Amsler grid should not be used in place of a visit to an eye care professional or to self-diagnose any vision conditions.

Download a copy for printing here.