“I feel my vision has gotten worse, so, I need an updated prescription for new glasses.”
As your local optometrist in Canberra, we hear this remark quite often. It seems that every time you notice a change in your vision, we expect that by updating your prescription glasses would restore your sight. However, this may not be the case as we explore factors other than a prescription change that could affect your vision.
There are many factors which may affect your vision. Almost all diseases of the eye would have some impact on your vision. Eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration are one of the leading causes of blindness in our community. These eye diseases progress gradually so you may not notice a change in your vision until a significant part of your vision is affected. At your local optometrist in Canberra, we routinely screen for these eye diseases as a part of our comprehensive eye examination. Our state-of-the-art OCT retinal scanner allows us to identify and evaluate your risk for any sight-threatening condition. Most eye diseases may eventually leave you permanently blind unless it is detected early and managed accordingly.
Early changes to your vision may be a sign of a sight-threatening eye disease which may require urgent attention. If you have noticed any change to your vision, it is crucial to act promptly and seek the opinion of your local optometrist in Canberra.
Systemic changes to your overall general health can affect your vision. Any changes to your general health, such as newly diagnosed diabetes, autoimmune diseases, hypertension can have an impact on your vision if it isn’t managed satisfactorily. Uncontrolled diabetes affects the quality and function of smaller blood vessels found in your retina. These delicate retina blood vessels could be compromised from high blood sugar levels. As a result, it could start to leak blood (haemorrhage) within the layers of the retina. The blood or fluid could begin to accumulate around the light-sensitive region of the eye (the macula). A significant amount of fluid retention around the macula (oedema) can distort your vision. Without a comprehensive eye examination with your local optometrist in Canberra, it is impossible to tell whether your diabetes causes the change in your vision. With this in mind, we recommend patients diagnosed with diabetes to have an eye examination once every 12 months.
Certain autoimmune diseases such as Srojgen’s syndrome affects the function of your glands in your body. Such glands that could be affected are your tear glands, which are responsible for producing the tears which lubricate your eyes. Dry eyes are one of the causes that make your vision fluctuate throughout the day. On some days, your vision may seem fine, however towards the end of your day; you may have noticed you do not see as well. Dry eye disease is easily ignored as early signs; symptoms may not be all that consistent. However, dry eyes disease not treatment can cause significant irritation to your eyes, making them more susceptible to infections which may affect your vision permanently. At Capital Eye, we have access to a unique piece of technology. This allows us to comprehensively diagnose the root cause of your dry eyes, allowing us to manage your dry eyes with methods that have the highest success rate.
The Bottom Line
Macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and refractive errors are the five significant causes of vision impairment. A change in your prescription or, refractive errors could be the reason why you do not see at your best. But thinking that this is the only reason and putting off your routine eye examinations until you can afford your next set of glasses may not be your best option. When you’ve noticed a change in your vision, it is recommended that not only to update your prescription, but also an excellent opportunity to ensure your eyes health is at its optimal.
There are multiple reasons to explain your change in vision. Most of the time, an updated prescription with a new pair of glasses and frames accurately fitted may be the solution. However, it is important to appreciate that there may be other causes which may impact on your vision. Therefore, a visit to your local optometrist is warranted to rule out other potential, often preventable causes of vision loss.