Vision can change due to age or medical conditions, impacting daily life. Early recognition of unusual changes and timely eye examinations help protect vision, maintaining independence in later years.

Difficulty seeing clearly at night

A gradual decrease in the ability to see in low light conditions can be an abnormal sign of vision, especially if one previously had good vision. Some individuals may find it difficult to see the road while driving at night, take longer to adapt when moving from bright to dark areas, or struggle to identify objects in dim light.

This change can be linked to various eye conditions. Therefore, if the condition is new, persistent, or worsening, an eye examination is recommended to assess vision and ocular structures.

Difficulty seeing in low light conditions can be an abnormal sign of vision. *Illustration: AI*

Vision obscured by a foggy veil

Images may appear opaque, as if looking through fog or a dirty lens, making it difficult to read, recognize faces, or see distant objects.

This condition sometimes develops gradually, allowing individuals to adapt without realizing their vision has declined. Cataracts commonly cause blurred or foggy vision, especially in older adults.

However, not all cases of foggy vision are due to cataracts. Other medical conditions can also cause vision changes, necessitating an eye examination if symptoms persist or affect daily activities.

Straight lines appear curved

If naturally straight lines, such as doorframes, window frames, or lines on paper, become curved, distorted, or wavy, this should not be ignored. This could indicate visual distortion, often linked to changes in the central retina. Macular degeneration can cause image distortion, particularly in older adults.

A simple way to check is to cover one eye at a time and observe an object with straight lines. If one eye clearly sees lines as curved or distorted while the other eye sees them normally, an examination is advised.

Black spots or blind spots appear in vision

Some individuals notice black spots (floaters), dark areas, or gaps in their vision. These symptoms may be more apparent when reading, looking at a screen, or observing a bright background.

Floaters sometimes result from changes in the vitreous humor and may not be dangerous. However, if numerous black spots appear suddenly, accompanied by flashes of light or a sensation of a curtain over the eye, an emergency eye examination is necessary.

These symptoms can be related to retinal tears or detachment, conditions that risk vision loss if not treated promptly.

Narrowing of peripheral vision

Vision encompasses not only the ability to see objects clearly in front but also the capacity to perceive what appears on either side, known as peripheral vision. When peripheral vision narrows, individuals may frequently bump into nearby objects, struggle to notice people or vehicles approaching from the side, or need to turn their head more to observe their surroundings.

Glaucoma can cause peripheral vision loss and often progresses silently in its early stages. By the time individuals clearly notice changes, optic nerve damage may have occurred. Therefore, regular eye examinations are particularly important for those at risk.

Colors appear faded or different

Another less noticed change is when colors appear less vibrant, it becomes difficult to distinguish similar colors, or one eye perceives colors differently from the other.

Changes in color perception can stem from various causes, ranging from eye problems to optic nerve damage or other medical conditions. If new symptoms appear, especially if they occur in only one eye or are accompanied by vision loss, an examination is recommended.

Bao Bao (Compiled)