Visual Impairment Warning Signs and Risks

Warning Signs of Vision Loss in Adults

Vision loss can be dangerous, particularly in older adults. Falls, burns, mistakes with medications or depression from isolation are all risks of undetected or untreated vision loss. Since, older adults with vision loss often fear a loss of independence, they may try to hide signs of their vision loss. If you notice any of the following symptons in an older friend or relative, encourage them to have an eye examination and a low vision evaluation.

• changes in the way a person reads, watches television, drives or walks, or if the person stops doing any of these activities
• difficulty identifying faces or objects, or locating personal objects in a familiar setting
• difficulty reading or performing other tasks with ordinary lighting
• holding reading materials close to the face or at an angle
• difficulty getting food onto a fork or pouring liquids into a cup without spilling
• wearing clothing in unusual color combinations or difficulty recognizing colors
• difficulty writing on the line or writing clearly
• more pronounced hearing loss as visual cues are lost

Risk Factors for Adults

• Family history/genetics - certain eye conditions are more prevalent among ethnic groups. african americans and hispanics are more at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. african americans over the age of 40 are more at risk for glaucoma. macular degeneration appears more prevalent among people of european descent with light pigmentation.
• Smoking - smokers have a higher rate of macular degeneration than non-smokers.
• Exposure to the sun - solar radiation can cause retinal damage.

Warning Signs of Vision Loss in Children

Parents should watch for signs of developmental delays in their child, such as not reaching or crawling, which may indicate a vision problem. To learn about early intervention for children with vision loss, please read about our children’s program and see our free online publication, Developing Your Child’s Vision. AA spanish version,Desarrollando la Visión de su Niño, is also available. Additional warning signs can include the appearance of the eye itself or the behavior of the child. examples include:

• Appearance
  • crossed or turned eye
  • pupils of the eyes are excessively large or excessively small
  • eyes do not appear to be lined up; they cross or turn outward
  • eyes shake or wander randomly
• Behavior
  • turning or tilting head when looking at an abject
  • keeping eyes closed or squinting
  • poking and rubbing eye
  • not making eye contact
  • delays in reaching developmental milestones, such as crawling, sitting or reaching

Risk Factors for Children

• Poor prenatal care
• Premature birth
• In-utero exposure to alcohol or drugs
• Shaken Baby Syndrome

Last Updated: Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 03:22:12