Vision Loss
There are many causes for sudden, temporary and even permanent vision loss. If you are dealing with sudden or total vision loss you must seek emergency medical attention immediately; however, if you are noticing subtle changes in your vision, you should turn to our Baton Rouge, LA, eye doctors here at Retina & Vitreous of Louisiana as soon as possible.
What do we mean by vision loss?
There are many ways in which vision can be reduced or affected. Along with total vision loss, vision loss also refers to,
- Blurry or cloudy vision
- Blind spots
- Changes in night vision
- Tunnel vision (a loss of peripheral vision)
- Double vision
Vision loss can come on gradually or suddenly and may affect both eyes or just one; however, one thing is certain: no matter how minor your vision loss may seem it’s still important that you turn to our team of eye specialists to find out what’s going on as soon as possible.
What causes vision loss?
There are many conditions and diseases that can affect the health of your eyes and your vision. Health problems that impact the eye and may also impact vision include,
- Trauma to the eye
- Eye infections or inflammation
- Swelling of the cornea
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- Glaucoma
- Detached retina
- Retinopathy
- Macular hole
Sometimes vision loss isn’t caused by an eye-related condition but rather by,
- Migraines
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Vitamin deficiencies/malnutrition
- Multiple sclerosis
- Head injury
- Brain tumor (rare)
- Stroke
Sudden vision loss may be caused by,
- A vitreous hemorrhage
- An injury to the eye
- A blockage of the artery or vein in the retina
- A blockage of the artery that connects to the optic nerve
Those with hypertension or diabetes are more at risk for a blockage of the retinal vein or a vitreous hemorrhage.