To determine your own risk factors, Join Now (it's free!) and take our risk assessment.

Healthy Eyes
People who have good vision, with or without eyeglasses or contacts, can see objects clearly, as they appear in this photograph.

Courtesy of the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

However, if you already have an eye disease, you might see objects differently. They may appear smudged, blurred, blotchy, or as if they exist in a tunnel.

Cataracts
Cataracts often create a picture that is smudgy and blurred. Some people say that trying to see with cataracts is like trying to see through a dirty windshield. People with cataracts also often notice changes in colors, especially blues and greens, or they report that objects have a yellowish cast. In addition, lights, especially headlights on vehicles traveling at night, seem to throw off much more glare than usual.

Courtesy of the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Your risk of developing cataracts is increased if you:

• Are over 65 years of age
• Have a family history of cataracts
• Are female
• Are black
• Have diabetes
• Are taking corticosteroids
• Smoke

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
People with AMD often notice that the center of their field of vision is blurred, but the outside edges seem all right. Although they may see a central image, it might appear very dim, it might not appear at all, or it might appear to blink on and off. This phenomenon is similar to having a short in a light bulb, causing the bulb to blink off and on.

Courtesy of the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Your risk of developing macular degeneration is increased if you:

• Are over 64 years of age
• Have a family history of macular degeneration
• Are female
• Smoke
• Have cardiovascular (heart) disease or high blood pressure

Glaucoma
Vision loss from glaucoma may appear first in the upper part of an image. This explains why people with glaucoma often do not notice vision loss in the early stages. Damage in the late stage of glaucoma can result in a “tunnel” effect, where the remaining island of vision is in the center.

Courtesy of the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Your risk of developing glaucoma is increased if you:

• Are over 55 years of age
• Have a family history of glaucoma
• Are African or Native American
• Are very nearsighted
• Have diabetes

Diabetic Retinopathy
People with diabetic retinopathy often have “blotchy” vision, in which areas of an image appear dimmer than the surrounding images or they may even be absent.

Courtesy of the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

You are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy if you:

• Have type 1 diabetes
• Have type 2 diabetes
• Are pregnant and have diabetes (also called gestational diabetes)

Use Our Site to Protect Your Sight!
Our goals on myhealthyeyes.com are to help you:

• Understand the importance of early detection of eye disease
• Control your symptoms
• Actively participate in your treatment plan

This article was written by Sarah C. Smith, RN, MA, CRNO, an advanced practice nurse and an educator specializing in ophthalmology. She is also the program manager of this web site.

References
Abel R. The Eye Care Revolution. New York, NY: Kensington Publishing Corporation: 1999.

Cassel G, Billig M, Randall H. The Eye Book: A Complete Guide to Eye Disorders and Health. Baltimore, Md: Johns Hopkins University Press; 1998.

Gayton, J, Ledford J. The Crystal Clear Guide to Sight for Life: A Complete Manual of Eye Care for Those Over 40. Lancaster, Pa: Starburst Publishers; 1996.

National Eye Institute. Statement on vision screening in adults. Available at: http://www.nei.nih.gov/news/statements/vis-screen.asp. Accessed June 24, 2002.

June 2002