Many serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, macular degeneration, cataracts, or diabetic retinopathy, often progress silently in their early stages.

Master, Doctor Le Thanh Huyen, from the High-Tech Eye Center at Tam Anh Hanoi General Hospital, notes that many patients maintain normal daily activities and become complacent. By the time their vision significantly declines and they seek examination, the eye damage has often progressed. Some conditions can lead to irreversible vision loss if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

Initial warning signs of vision impairment are often vague, easily overlooked, or mistaken for common eye fatigue.

Prolonged blurred vision

Blurred vision is one of the most common signs of vision impairment. Individuals may struggle to read text, need to squint when looking at distant or nearby objects, and perceive images as lacking sharpness.

This condition can be linked to refractive errors, cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal diseases. If blurred vision persists, recurs frequently, or gradually worsens over time, an examination is recommended to determine the cause.

Doctor Huyen examines a patient's eyes. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Appearance of black spots or "floaters"

The phenomenon of seeing black spots or thin, floating strands, often described as "floaters," is typically caused by vitreous opacities. However, if "floaters" appear suddenly, increase rapidly in number, or are accompanied by flashes of light or a dark curtain obscuring part of the vision, prompt eye examination is necessary, as these could indicate retinal tears or retinal detachment.

Pain accompanied by red eyes

Persistent eye pain should not be ignored, especially when accompanied by red eyes, blurred vision, headaches, or nausea. According to Doctor Huyen, this could signal glaucoma, eye inflammation, or corneal damage. Some conditions can progress rapidly and severely affect vision if not treated promptly.

Glare, seeing halos around lights

This symptom is common in individuals with cataracts, glaucoma, or chronic dry eyes. Patients may experience light sensitivity, difficulty seeing in sunlight, or notice halos around lights at night. If these symptoms impact daily activities or occur more frequently, an early eye check-up is advisable.

Distorted vision or central vision loss

Seeing straight lines as curved, distorted images, or difficulty discerning the central part of objects can warn of retinal damage, particularly in older adults or those with diabetes and high blood pressure. Retinal conditions often develop silently but can cause long-term vision loss if detected late.

Prolonged dry eyes, eye strain

Dry eyes, strain, temporary blurred vision, or a persistent gritty sensation can be linked to computer vision syndrome. While not always indicative of a serious condition, if these symptoms persist or recur frequently, a specialist examination is necessary to rule out causes affecting vision.

Doctor Huyen advises everyone to undergo regular eye examinations, especially older adults and those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or any unusual vision symptoms. Early detection and treatment enhance treatment effectiveness and reduce the risk of irreversible vision damage from certain eye conditions.

Thu Giang