6 warning signs of vision loss

Many dangerous eye diseases such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, macular degeneration, cataracts or retinal complications due to diabetes often progress silently in the early stages.

Master, Doctor Le Thanh Huyen, High-Tech Eye Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that in many cases the patient still lives normally so it is easy to be subjective. When the vision is clearly reduced before going to the doctor, the damage to the eye has progressed more seriously. Some can cause irreversible vision loss if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

The initial warning signs of vision loss are often quite vague, easily overlooked or mistaken for common eye strain.

Prolonged blurred vision

Blurred vision is one of the most common signs of vision impairment. Patients may have difficulty seeing words clearly, have to squint when looking far or close, and the observed image may not be sharp.

This condition may be related to refractive errors, cataracts, glaucoma or retinal diseases. If blurred vision persists, recurs frequently or increases over time, the patient should see a doctor to determine the cause.

Black spots or “flies” appear before the eyes

The phenomenon of seeing black spots and thin fibers floating like flies in the eyes is often due to cloudiness of the vitreous. However, if the phenomenon of “flying flies” appears suddenly, increases rapidly in number, or is accompanied by flashes of light or black curtains that partially cover vision, the patient needs an eye examination early because it may be related to retinal tears or retinal detachment.

Pain and red eyes

Prolonged eye pain should not be taken lightly, especially when accompanied by red eyes, blurred vision, headaches or nausea. According to Dr. Huyen, this could be a sign of glaucoma, eye inflammation or corneal damage. Some diseases can progress quickly and seriously affect vision if not treated promptly.

Dazzling, seeing halos around lights

This symptom is often seen in people with cataracts, glaucoma or persistent dry eyes. Patients may feel their eyes are sensitive to light, have difficulty seeing in sunlight, or see halos around lights at night. If symptoms affect daily activities or appear more frequently, the patient should have their eyes checked early.

Distorted vision or reduced central vision

Seeing straight lines become curved, distorted images or difficulty seeing the center of an object clearly can be warning signs of retinal damage, especially in the elderly or people with diabetes or hypertension. Retinal diseases often progress silently but can cause long-term vision impairment if detected late.

Dry eyes, prolonged eye fatigue

Dry eyes, fatigue, transient blurred vision or a persistent burning sensation may be related to screen vision syndrome. Although it does not always signal a serious illness, if this condition persists or recurs frequently, it still requires a specialist examination to rule out causes affecting vision.

Dr. Huyen recommends that everyone have regular eye exams, especially in the elderly, people with diabetes, hypertension or signs of vision abnormalities. Early detection and treatment helps improve treatment effectiveness, while reducing the risk of irreversible vision damage in some eye diseases.