Reviewed By:
Ami Shah Vira, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Shah Vira grew up in Arizona. She moved to Chicago to complete a combined engineering and medical program at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and Chicago Medical School. She completed a highly competitive two year dual fellowship in Neuro-ophthalmology and Oculoplastic at the highly regarded Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Shah Vira specializes in surgical correction of the eyelids and eyebrows, eyelid malposition and tumors, excessive tearing, and conditions involving the orbit.
Masashi Mimura, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Mimura Graduated from the Osaka Medical College and obtained his ophthalmologist certification in 2007. He opened an outpatient clinic for oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery at Osaka Kaijo Hospital. Subsequently, he was appointed as the assistant professor at the Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka Medical College, in 2014. He then served an international fellowship at the Department of Ophthalmology/Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery, California State University, San Diego. Since then, he has been appointed as Lecturer in the Departments of Ophthalmology at Osaka Medical College and Toho University Medical Center Sakura Hospital. Dr. Mimura is currently the Director of Oculofacial Clinic Osaka, where he specializes in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Content updated on Mar 7, 2024
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My eyesight is deteriorating
Find it hard to focus my vision
Focusing my vision is diffcult
Diffcult to focus my vision
Focusing my vision is hard
Can't see out of one eye
Blurred vision
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About the Symptom
Visual impairment refers to a loss of vision that cannot be corrected to normal vision, even when the person is wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses. It can range from low vision to total blindness.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Poor vision
Possible Causes
Generally, Poor vision can be related to:
Retinitis pigmentosa
An inherited degenerative disease affecting the retina, the nerve layer lining the back of the eye. It causes loss of night and side vision.
An eye condition that causes a "hole in the center" when looking at things. It is caused by damage to the central retina (sensing layer of the eye). Causes include aging, smoking, and genetics.
Degeneration of the lens inside the eye causes it to become opaque. As a result, lights appear glaring and vision becomes blurred. In older adults, cataracts are usually caused by aging. In children, however, they may be due to genetic conditions, drugs, or viral infections while in the womb.
Diabetic macular edema (DME)
Uveitis
Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)
Related serious diseases
Sometimes, Poor vision may be related to these serious diseases:
Optic neuritis happens when the optic nerve, which sends messages from your eye to your brain, becomes inflamed. This can affect eye movement and vision. Inflammation of the optic nerve can be caused by infections or immune system disorders like multiple sclerosis and lupus.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
Is your eyesight getting worse lately?
Are you currently experiencing vision loss in one eye?
Do you strain your eyes when looking at close or distant objects?
Are your eyes red, painful, or itchy?
Do you have a fever?
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References
Pascolini D, Mariotti SP. Global estimates of visual impairment: 2010. Br J Ophthalmol. 2012 May;96(5):614-8. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2011-300539. Epub 2011 Dec 1. PMID: 22133988.
https://bjo.bmj.com/content/96/5/614
Reviewed By:
Ami Shah Vira, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Shah Vira grew up in Arizona. She moved to Chicago to complete a combined engineering and medical program at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and Chicago Medical School. She completed a highly competitive two year dual fellowship in Neuro-ophthalmology and Oculoplastic at the highly regarded Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Shah Vira specializes in surgical correction of the eyelids and eyebrows, eyelid malposition and tumors, excessive tearing, and conditions involving the orbit.
Masashi Mimura, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Mimura Graduated from the Osaka Medical College and obtained his ophthalmologist certification in 2007. He opened an outpatient clinic for oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery at Osaka Kaijo Hospital. Subsequently, he was appointed as the assistant professor at the Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka Medical College, in 2014. He then served an international fellowship at the Department of Ophthalmology/Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery, California State University, San Diego. Since then, he has been appointed as Lecturer in the Departments of Ophthalmology at Osaka Medical College and Toho University Medical Center Sakura Hospital. Dr. Mimura is currently the Director of Oculofacial Clinic Osaka, where he specializes in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
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