Browse Medications by Everyday Health Concerns: Vision changes

Vision changes refer to any alteration in the way you see, whether it's blurry, double vision, or difficulty seeing at certain distances. These changes can happen gradually or suddenly, and understanding what causes them can help you manage your eye health. Early detection of vision changes is essential, as it can prevent or address underlying conditions, helping you maintain clear vision and a better quality of life.

Common symptoms that might indicate vision changes include:

• Blurry or foggy vision, especially at a distance
• Difficulty reading or seeing fine details
• Double vision or overlapping images
• Sensitivity to light or glare
• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Seeing floaters or flashes of light

Vision changes can be caused by:

• Refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
• Age-related conditions, like presbyopia (difficulty focusing on close objects)
• Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration
• Diabetic retinopathy, caused by high blood sugar levels affecting the eyes
• Injury or trauma to the eyes

Risk factors for experiencing vision changes include:

• Age, as vision tends to naturally decline with time
• Family history of eye conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration
• Chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• Exposure to UV light without eye protection
• Eye injuries or surgeries

To diagnose the cause of vision changes, an eye care professional will:

• Conduct a comprehensive eye exam, checking for refractive errors, eye diseases, and general eye health
• Perform tests like retinal imaging, visual field testing, or eye pressure measurement
• Ask about your medical history, including conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure

Treatment for vision changes depends on the cause:

• Eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct refractive errors
• Surgery, such as LASIK or cataract surgery, to address specific eye conditions
• Medications to manage conditions like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy
• Lifestyle changes, like managing diabetes or controlling blood pressure, to protect vision

Medications for vision changes can include eye drops or oral medications to manage conditions like glaucoma or inflammation. NiHowdy helps you save on these prescriptions, ensuring you have access to the medications you need at a more affordable price.

While some age-related vision changes are inevitable, you can take steps to prevent or slow down others:

• Regular eye exams to detect changes early
• Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV damage
• Maintaining a healthy diet, rich in vitamins A, C, and E, to support eye health
• Controlling chronic conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure
• Protecting your eyes during physical activities or work with safety glasses

To manage vision changes at home:

• Use proper lighting when reading or doing close work
• Take breaks from screen time to reduce eye strain
• Wear corrective lenses as prescribed
• Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays with sunglasses
• Follow up with eye exams regularly to monitor your vision

Seek professional help if you experience:

• Sudden or severe vision loss
• Persistent blurry or double vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Pain, redness, or discomfort in the eyes
• Frequent headaches or eye strain

NiHowdy helps make managing vision changes more affordable by offering savings on medications and treatments. With Bitcoin rebates, you can get the care you need while lowering the financial burden of prescriptions and eye care.

Angel had noticed her vision was getting blurrier, making it harder to see while driving. After using NiHowdy, she saved on her eye medication and glasses. With the savings, she was able to get regular checkups and treatment, improving her vision and feeling more confident behind the wheel.