Vision abnormalities
Alternative names:
blindness, temporary; decreased vision; diminished eyesight; eyesight diminished; impaired vision
Home care:
Safety measures may be necessary to help a person with vision abnormalities. For example, it may be helpful to increase the amount of light in a room.
Call your health care provider if:
- any sudden visual changes occur
- there is partial or complete blindness in one or both eyes
- there is trouble seeing objects to either side (decreased peripheral vision) or if halos are seen around lights.
- blind spots suddenly appear
Usually, the question is not whether to see a health professional but which one to see. Finding the appropriate health professional on the first attempt will save time and money. These examples may help: - For decreased vision in a child, see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.
- For sudden blindness in one eye in an elderly person, see an ophthalmologist or an internist immediately.
- For eye pain or halos around lights, see an ophthalmologist.
- For gradual loss of visual acuity in an adult who wears glasses, see an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
- For sudden blindness in both eyes in a healthy young person, see an internist or ophthalmologist immediately.
- For gradual blurring of vision in an older person, not helped by moving closer or farther away, see an ophthalmologist.
- For an older person who sees far objects best and near objects not very well, see an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
- For visual changes that occur while taking medication, see the prescribing doctor.
- For decreased vision in one eye with a "shadow" in the visual field, see an ophthalmologist immediately.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting the vision abnormalities in detail may include: - time pattern
- When did this begin?
- Did it occur suddenly or gradually?
- Does it occur only occasionally? How often?
- How long does it last?
- When does it occur? Evening? Morning?
- quality
- Is the vision blurred or is there double vision?
- Are there blind spots?
- Are there areas that look black and missing?
- Is side vision missing?
- Are halos (circles of light) seen around shiny objects or lights?
- Are flashing lights or zigzag lines seen?
- Is extreme sensitivity to light present?
- Do stationary things seem to be moving?
- Are colors missing?
- Is it difficult to differentiate colors?
- Is there pain?
- Is there drainage from the eye(s)?
- Are the eyes crossed?
- Does one of the eyes "drift"? Do both?
- location
- Is the problem in one eye or both eyes?
- aggravating factors
- Have you had any of the following in the last few weeks to months?
- relieving factors
- Is your vision better after you rest?
- Is it better with corrective lenses?
- other
- What other symptoms are also present?
- additional important information
- What medications are being taken?
- Is there a family history of diabetes?
- Have you had a previous head injury?
- Do you have any allergies?
- Has there been a loss of eyelashes?
The physical examination will include an eye examination. The health care provider will check vision, eye movements, pupils, back of the eye, and eye pressure when indicated. An overall medical evaluation will be done if indicated.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: Intervention:
Surgery will be recommended for some conditions (such as cataracts or muscle problems). Diabetics must control their blood-sugar level. Other treatments depend on the cause.
After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to vision abnormalities, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.
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