Vision loss in adults
Vision loss can greatly impair a person’s quality of life. We learned from experts what can cause vision loss, what symptoms should alert you, and whether it can be returned.

Even partial loss of vision worsens the quality of human life, not to mention complete blindness. Meanwhile, according to WHO, 80% of cases of blindness could be prevented with timely diagnosis and treatment.

What is important to know about human vision

organs of visionTheir functions
CorneaRefracts light rays
LenticularFocuses light rays
ScleraGives the eye a stable spherical shape
Vitreous bodyMaintains normal intraocular pressure
Vascular membraneProvides nutrition to eye tissues and metabolic processes
RetinaReceives light signals and converts them into nerve impulses
optic nerveTransmits nerve impulses from the fundus to the brain

Causes of vision loss in adults

The loss of vision may be complete or partial. Sometimes a person loses sight suddenly, but most often the pathological process develops over several months and even years.

The causes of vision loss can be divided into two groups: ophthalmic and others. Ophthalmic diseases are associated with the pathology of visual structures, while others are associated with diseases of other organs and systems.

The most common causes of vision loss in adults are:

  • eye and head injuries;
  • retinal detachment;
  • macular degeneration;
  • hemorrhages in the retina and vitreous body;
  • atrophy of the optic nerve;
  • cataract;
  • glaucoma;
  • diabetic retinopathy;
  • ischemic neuropathy;
  • benign and malignant brain tumors;
  • corneal diseases: keratitis, conjunctivitis, keratopathy.

The most common causes of complete sudden loss of vision or blindness are injuries to the eyes and head, retinal detachment, and acute cerebrovascular accidents. All other diseases and conditions cause a gradual deterioration of visual functions.

Signs of vision loss in adults

With blindness, light rays either do not reach the retina, or the brain does not perceive light signals due to atrophy of the retina or optic nerve. With zero visual acuity, blindness is considered absolute. People with object blindness can distinguish between day and night, but are unable to see the color and shape of objects.

Signs of partial vision loss in adults vary depending on the cause that caused it:

  • with retinal detachment, a veil is observed before the eyes. Flashes appear in the form of “sparks” and “lightning”, the contours of letters and objects in the field of view are distorted1;
  • with cataracts, clouding and decreased vision occur in the center or on the periphery – depending on which part of the lens is affected2;
  • with glaucoma, “flies” appear before the eyes, iridescent circles around light sources, temporary clouding. Peripheral vision deteriorates in later stages3;
  • macular degeneration is accompanied by damage to the central zone of the retina with the formation of the so-called “yellow spot”, which causes blurred vision, distortion of contours, difficulty in reading and writing;
  • with a hemorrhage in the retina, a feeling of pressure in the orbit may appear, objects begin to “double”, a cloudy spot appears before the eyes;
  • with ischemic neuropathy, patients complain of complete short-term (from several seconds to several minutes) loss of vision in one eye4.

It is very important not to miss the first signs of vision loss and consult a doctor in a timely manner. It should be remembered that some diseases do not manifest themselves in the initial stage. Only at a regular preventive examination, an ophthalmologist can reveal subtle signs of pathology.

Treatment of vision loss in adults

For the treatment of vision loss in adults, conservative therapy and surgical intervention are used. Unfortunately, some diseases and conditions, such as blindness due to the death of the optic nerve, are still not treatable. But in most cases, doctors can stop the progression of the disease and even restore lost visual functions.

The choice of treatment tactics depends on the disease:

  • in retinal detachment, surgery is done to limit the area of ​​the break and reconnect the retina to the choroid1;
  • cataracts are treated with surgery: the clouded lens is replaced with an implant2;
  • for the treatment of glaucoma in the initial stages, drugs are used that improve the outflow of intraocular fluid or reduce its secretion. In the later stages, surgery is indicated34;
  • with ischemic neuropathy, thrombolytics, anticoagulants, diuretics and vasodilators may be prescribed. In more complex cases, surgery is performed to restore the blood supply to the optic nerve.5;
  • in the initial stages of macular degeneration, it is recommended to take vitamin and mineral complexes with carotenoids, vitamins A, E and C.

Important! Treatment of vision loss is the task of a narrow specialist, most often an ophthalmologist and surgeon. Self-treatment with the help of folk remedies and advice from the Internet can lead to serious negative consequences.

Prevention of vision loss in adults at home

To prevent vision loss at home, you need to adjust your lifestyle. First of all, doctors advise:

  • protect eyes from ultraviolet radiation;
  • while reading, working at a computer and other visual stress, take breaks every 40 minutes;
  • protect eyes from injury;
  • wear safety goggles when driving;
  • regularly do exercises for the eyes;
  • include in the diet foods rich in vitamin A, E and C;
  • take vitamin complexes useful for the eyes;
  • treat diseases that can cause vision loss in a timely manner.

One of the most effective preventive measures is to visit an ophthalmologist at least once a year to check the condition of the visual apparatus and, if necessary, receive medical assistance.

Popular questions and answers

Our experts answer popular questions from readers: ophthalmologist Lola Semenova and ophthalmic surgeon Natalya Koval.

How to stop vision loss in adults?

– For this, different methods are used – from medical to surgical. In some cases, for example, with retinal detachment and cataracts, only surgery will help.

Is it possible to lose sight due to stress?

– In a stressful situation, the body produces an increased amount of cortisol, prolactin, adrenaline. These hormones can provoke degenerative changes in the organ of vision, cause glaucoma and other diseases. Therefore, we can say that stress can provoke a decrease in vision.

Why does peripheral vision disappear?

– Most often this occurs against the background of glaucoma and retinal detachment. With glaucoma, vision deteriorates due to damage to the optic nerve, and with retinal detachment, when the mesh tissue moves away from the choroid. Retinal detachment threatens with complete blindness, so a person needs urgent surgical care.

Sources:

  1. Retinal disinsertion. Reminder for patients. Krasnoyarsk Regional Ophthalmological Clinical Hospital named after V.I. Makarov. https://clck.ru/dVtPx
  2. Age-related cataract. Clinical guidelines, 2015. https://clck.ru/dVtX9
  3. Medical, laser and surgical treatment of glaucoma. Teaching aid. Belarusian State Medical University. Department of Eye Diseases. M. F. Dzhumova. Minsk, 2006. http://rep.bsmu.by/bitstream/handle/BSMU/6292/%D0%9B%D0%B5%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5%20%D0 %B3%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%83%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BC%D1%8B.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  4. Methods of treatment of ischemic conditions of the optic nerve and retina. Russian medical journal. 08.09.2002/XNUMX/XNUMX. https://www.rmj.ru/articles/oftalmologiya/Metody_lecheniya_ishemicheskih_sostoyaniy_zritelynogo_nerva_i_setchatki/
  5. Подозрение на глаукому. Клинические рекомендации, 2021 год http://omo.mntk.ru/analiticheskaya-rabota/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B7%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5%20%D0%BD%D0%B0%20%D0%B3%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%83%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BC%D1%83%202021.pdf

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