Signs of Visual Skill Dysfunction

If you or a loved one is experiencing a basic visual dysfunction, you may notice signs such as:

• Difficulty reading or poor reading comprehension
• Frequent headaches, eye pain, or fatigue
• Double vision
• Trouble completing visual tasks
• Difficulty with left/right orientation
• Problems copying from the board or page
• Reversing letters or numbers
• Poor coordination or rhythm

These symptoms may indicate an issue with one or more of the core visual skills described below.

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Core Basic Visual Skills

Eye Movement

Category: How the Eyes Work, Basic Visual Skills

Eye movement refers to both voluntary and involuntary motions of the eyes that allow us to locate, fixate on, and track visual targets. This skill is controlled by six muscles in each eye. These movements are essential for reading, following objects, and shifting focus quickly and accurately. Poor eye movement control may lead to skipping words or losing your place when reading.

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Eye Focusing

Category: How the Eyes Work, Basic Visual Skills

Focusing, also known as accommodation, allows the eyes to adjust between near and far distances. When we look at something close-up, our focusing system tightens; when we look into the distance, it relaxes. A healthy visual system can switch focus effortlessly. Trouble with eye focusing may lead to blurry vision, eye strain, or difficulty concentrating—especially during reading or screen use.

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Eye Coordination

Category: How the Eyes Work, Basic Visual Skills

Both eyes see slightly different images. Through a process called fusion, the brain blends these into one clear, three-dimensional picture. Proper eye coordination is crucial for maintaining alignment and ensuring both eyes are working together. Poor coordination can cause double vision, depth perception issues, or difficulty with tasks like catching a ball or copying text.

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Visual Perception

Category: How the Eyes Work, Basic Visual Skills

Visual perception involves how the brain interprets and gives meaning to what we see. It includes recognizing shapes, identifying patterns, judging distance, and remembering visual information. This skill integrates with other senses to help us make sense of the world. Visual perception problems can affect everything from handwriting to spatial awareness to memory and learning.

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The Impact of Strong Visual Skills

Strong visual skills lay the foundation for success in school, sports, and daily life. If you or your child is showing signs of visual difficulty, a functional vision exam can help identify which visual skills may need support.

At our office, we’re here to help guide you through diagnosis and treatment options that improve how your eyes work—together and individually.

What Causes Strabismus?

Normal vision depends on the coordinated effort of six muscles surrounding each eye. These muscles work together to ensure both eyes focus on the same point. When these muscles do not function properly or are unbalanced, the eyes become misaligned.

If the brain receives two different images from the eyes, it often favors the stronger eye, causing the weaker eye to lose strength over time. This condition can lead to amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye.”

Risk Factors for Strabismus Include:

• Family history of strabismus or amblyopia
• Premature birth or low birth weight
• Certain neurological or genetic conditions
• Eye injuries or illnesses affecting eye muscles
• Uncorrected refractive errors (like farsightedness)

Symptoms of Strabismus

• Visible eye misalignment
• Double vision
• Difficulty with depth perception
• Eye strain or headaches
• Squinting or closing one eye to see better

Treatment Options for Strabismus

Treatment depends on the severity and cause but may include:

• Prescription glasses or contact lenses
• Eye patching or vision therapy to strengthen the weaker eye
• Botox injections to temporarily relax eye muscles
• Strabismus surgery to realign the eye muscles

Early intervention is crucial to prevent long-term vision problems and improve appearance and function.

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We Can Help with Adult Strabismus

If you or a loved one experiences symptoms of strabismus, don’t wait to seek professional care. Our experienced eye care specialists offer comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans to help improve your vision and quality of life.

Lutein

Lutein is a type of antioxidant that helps protect against free radicals that can damage the eye. It is found in the macula region of the retina. These compounds have many positive effects on the eyes, including protecting them from diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

The best way to get lutein is through diet, but supplements are also available. These supplements are typically made from marigold flowers mixed with oils. However, lutein can be synthesized as well. In addition, lutein may also improve the symptoms of dry eye disease, including temporary blurriness and red, itchy eyes. There is no recommended daily allowance for lutein, but higher intake is associated with reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin and lutein vitamins can help protect your eyes. Both are found naturally in your eyes, and they both act as powerful antioxidants. They also act as a natural sunblock, absorbing excess light energy and protecting your eyes from the damaging rays of the sun. In addition, these vitamins can help your eyesight by reducing the risk of cataracts.

Zeaxanthin is a nutrient found in plant foods, such as carrots, pumpkin, and goji berries. The nutrient can also be obtained from supplements and whole food sources. While there is no recommended daily intake, there is some evidence that zeaxanthin can protect the eye and improve vision.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that helps maintain healthy eyes. It can be found in fruits and vegetables, especially dark green leafy ones. It is also found in some nuts and oils. Vitamin C also reduces the risk of developing cataracts. Many eye-friendly foods contain vitamin C, including citrus fruits. These foods also contain antioxidants like vitamin E, which helps vitamin C work better. Some other great sources of vitamin C include avocados, sunflower seeds, almonds, and flax seeds.

A recent study conducted by the American Optometric Association revealed that vitamin C can reduce the risk of cataracts in women. The study showed that women who took vitamin C for at least four years had a 64% reduction in their chances of developing cataracts. This result was confirmed in other studies. Researchers recommend consuming at least 300 milligrams of vitamin C a day for eye health.

 Zinc

Zinc is an essential nutrient that improves vision and helps counteract the negative effects of aging on the eyes. It helps protect the retina, one of the layers in the eye responsible for vision. It also protects the macula, a protective layer inside the retina. Zinc supplements can improve night vision and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Vitamins contain zinc and other trace minerals that may help protect the retina from oxidative damage. Vitamins E and C are both good antioxidants and may decrease the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Zinc is an essential nutrient and is found in whole grains, sunflower seeds, nuts, and fish.

Omega 3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids have many benefits, and they may even be beneficial for your eyesight. They promote healthy skin, reduce bad cholesterol, and improve eye health. They may also reduce discomfort caused by dry eye and even help treat blepharitis. They are most commonly found in fatty fish, but there are also several vegetarian sources of this nutrient.

Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce the risk of macular degeneration, which affects over 10 million people in the United States. They may also lower your risk of high eye pressure, which can lead to glaucoma. And because omega-3 fatty acids help regulate the flow of fluid in the eye, they can even help treat dry eye syndrome, a condition where tears are not produced adequately.

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Description: Our AREDS 2 VITAMINS formula is made in an FDA inspected facility in the United States. We use vigorous testing and quality assurance to make sure that you’re getting pharmaceutical-grade supplements. AREDS 2 VITAMINS has lutein and zeaxanthin to further support macular health. We keep up with the latest research and science to ensure you keep the best possible vision you can. Because slightly varying supplement formulations may be necessary depending on your genetics and lifestyle, be sure to see your doctor with any questions and concerns you may have.”

Sources:

• HealthLine: Vitamin C: https://www.healthline.com/hea…
• AOA: Diet and Nutrition: https://www.aoa.org/healthy-ey…
• NIH: Free Radicals: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go…
• WebMd: Omega3: https://www.webmd.com/eye-heal…

Upneeq

If you’re looking for a nonsurgical solution to droopy eyelids, Upneeq might be right for you. This treatment works to lift up the upper eyelids, which can make the eyes appear wider and more refreshed. It can also help treat droopy eyelids, which are often caused by muscle weakness due to aging. If you’re interested in learning more, contact your eye doctor.

Blepharoptosis

Upneeq, an FDA-approved pharmaceutical eye drop, can help lift upper eyelids by 1-2 millimeters. Blepharoptosis, or droopy eyelids, is an inherited or acquired condition that causes the eyelids to hang down. The congenital form is caused by a lack of nerve connection to the eyelids, while acquired blepharoptosis is the result of aging or certain eye disorders.

Acquired ptosis

There are a number of reasons that a child’s eyelids can droop and become partially or fully closed, including a number of medical conditions. Depending on the cause, droopy eye lids may partially or fully block a child’s vision, and may even delay vision development. Acquired ptosis and eyelid drooping are often benign, but in some cases can lead to significant vision problems. These conditions can also result from problems with the eyelid muscles or the nerves. If you have concerns, contact your eye healthcare provider.

Other causes of droopy eyelids

Droopy eyelids can be caused by many different conditions. Some are everyday issues, while others are caused by diseases like paralysis. UPNEEQ, an eye drop that stimulates the eyelid muscle, can help treat these conditions. It is FDA approved and can produce results in as little as 15 minutes.

Side effects of Upneeq

Upneeq for Droopy eye lids is a prescription ophthalmology treatment that lifts low-lying eyelids. The treatment is effective for treating mild to moderate cases of ptosis. The treatment can last up to 6 hours.

Cost of Upneeq

Upneeq, a prescription medication, is affordable but there is a cost. You must consult your physician first to determine whether this treatment is right for you.

Don’t Rub Your Eyes

Have you ever moved a dusty box and gotten something in your eye? Although your natural inclination may be to rub your eye, rubbing grinds debris into your eye. If you don’t resist the urge to rub your eyes, you may develop a painful abrasion on your cornea, the clear tissue that covers your iris. More than 59% of work eye injuries were caused by employees rubbing their eyes or foreign objects scaping the eye, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If you get something in your eye, follow these tips from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO):

• Blink a Few Times to Naturally Remove the Foreign Object
• Gently Pull Your Upper Eyelid Over Your Lower Eyelid (The natural brushing movement of the eyelashes could help remove the object, the AAO says.)
• Flush Out Debris with Saline Solution, Eyewash, or Running Water

Call your optometrist or go to the Emergency Room if these steps don’t help. Don’t try to remove metal, glass, or any objects that have penetrated your eye.

Gear Up

It’s much easier to prevent an eye injury than it is to treat it. Put on safety glasses, goggles, helmets, face shields, or respirators before:

• Working Around Airborne Debris, Like Wood Chips, Grass, Dust, Dirt, or Metal Shavings
• Using Chemicals or Cleaning Products
• Operating Machinery
• Using Lasers or Other Devices That Produce Visible Light
• Working with Blood and Body Fluids

Do you avoid using safety gear because you wear eyeglasses? Although your glasses may offer some protection, gaps on the sides, tops, and bottoms of eyeglasses allow dirt, debris, and foreign objects to reach your eyes. When you wear wraparound safety glasses or goggles, foreign objects and chemicals bounce off your eyewear, protecting your eyes.

If safety glasses or goggles worn over your glasses are uncomfortable, prescription goggles and safety glasses, available from your optometrist, offer a more comfortable option.

Sun exposure can also damage your eyes. Wearing eyewear that offers protection from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light is a must if you’re exposed to sunlight on the job. The longer you’re exposed to UV light, the greater your chance is of developing cataracts or age-related macular degeneration. UV light exposure also increases your risk for skin cancer on your eyelids and around your eyes.

Working around snow, sand, or other reflective surfaces increases your risk of developing photokeratitis if you don’t wear UV sunglasses. The painful condition occurs when the cornea becomes sunburned.

Sunlight isn’t the only problem. Employees who work with lasers, welding tools, and other machinery that produces bright light or radiation are at risk for eye injuries. Wearing protective gear protects your eyes from burns and other injuries.

Be a Rule Follower

Rules are in place to protect you, although it may seem like they only make your job harder. Follow all safety rules, from wearing protective eyewear when required to maintaining machinery. Report malfunctioning equipment as soon as you notice the problem, don’t keep using machinery that isn’t working correctly, and don’t disable safety guards. You never know when a piece of the machine could break away and turn into a projectile.

Don’t ignore specific protective eyewear requirements at your workplace. Depending on the type of work you do, you may need specialized eyewear to protect against radiation exposure or fiber optic light.

Keep It Clean

After you remove your protective eyewear, wash your hands before touching or rubbing your eyes. Do you wear a hat when you’re working? Take it off before you remove your goggles or safety glasses. Debris from your hat could fall in your eyes if your eyes are unprotected. Remove coveralls or clothing covered with debris before removing your protective eyewear to prevent exposure to dust and debris.

Do you need a new pair of safety goggles or glasses? We offer prescription and non-prescription varieties that will help you protect your eyes. Contact our office for more information.

Sources:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Workers Suffered 18,510 Eye-Related Injuries and Illnesses in 2020, 3/31/2023 https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2023/workers-suffered-18510-eye-related-injuries-and-illnesses-in-2020.htm
• American Academy of Ophthalmology: Recognizing and Treating Eye Injuries, 4/10/2023 https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries
• American Optometric Association: Protecting Your Eyes at Work https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/protecting-your-vision?sso=y
• Prevent Blindness: Your Sight https://preventblindness.org/preventing-eye-injuries-at-work/

What Is Ocular Hypertension?

Intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye) helps your eyeball keep its round shape. Optometrists become concerned when your pressure is 21 millimeters of mercury (mmHG) or higher. High ocular pressure, also known as ocular hypertension, doesn’t always affect your vision or damage your eyes but can be a warning sign.

Some people with ocular hypertension eventually develop glaucoma, an eye disease that damages the optic nerve due to abnormally high pressure in the eye. Optic nerve damage interferes with the nerve’s ability to send electrical signals from the eyes to the brain and makes it difficult for the brain to produce clear, complete images. As a result, you may notice a decrease in peripheral (side) vision or blind spots.

What Causes Ocular Hypertension?

Ocular hypertension occurs due to a drainage problem in the eye. Aqueous humor, the clear fluid that fills the inside of your eye, is responsible for maintaining normal pressure inside the eye. If your eye makes too much fluid or the fluid doesn’t drain properly, the pressure inside the eye rises.

Ocular hypertension risk factors include:

• Age. If you’re 40 or older, you have a greater chance of developing the condition.
• Race. Hispanics and African Americans have a higher risk for ocular hypertension, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
• Systemic (Overall) Blood Pressure. Your risk may also increase if your blood pressure is relatively low or higher than normal.
• Family History. Have others in your family been diagnosed with ocular hypertension or glaucoma? Your chances of an ocular hypertension diagnosis may be higher
• Other Factors. You may also be at increased risk of developing ocular hypertension if you have high myopia (nearsightedness), have taken steroid medication for a long time, have a thin central cornea, or have certain conditions or diseases, like diabetes, pseudoexfoliation syndrome or pigment dispersion syndrome.

When Is Treatment Needed?

High intraocular pressure doesn’t always damage the optic nerve, but it is a concerning sign. Whether you need treatment or not depends on your pressure reading and risk factors. If your pressure is only slightly high, your optometrist may recommend regular monitoring and pressure checks.

If your intraocular pressure is too high, you may be more likely to develop glaucoma. If this is the case, your eye doctor may prescribe special eye drops that lower the intraocular pressure and reduce your risk of glaucoma. You’ll need regular exams to check the health of your optic nerve and ensure that the drops are working.

Prescription eye drops could help you avoid vision loss if you have ocular hypertension, even if you haven’t noticed any symptoms. According to a research study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, eye drops could delay or prevent primary open-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma gradually damages the optic nerve and doesn’t cause sudden vision changes. Unfortunately, the damage is usually permanent by the time people notice vision loss.

More than 1,600 people between the ages of 40 and 80 with high intraocular hypertension participated in the study. One group received prescription eyedrops to lower intraocular pressure, while the only group was only monitored. After five years, 9.5% of people in the observation group had developed open-angle glaucoma, compared to 4.45% who used prescription eyedrops.

Scheduling regular visits with your optometrist can help you avoid the devastating effects of ocular hypertension. A quick, simple test during your exam provides important information on eye pressure and helps your eye doctor determine if you need treatment if you have ocular hypertension.

Reduce your risk of ocular hypertension with a visit to the optometrist. Contact our office to schedule your appointment.

Sources:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology: What Is Ocular Hypertension?, 5/15/2023 https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-ocular-hypertension
• American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye Pressure, 5/24/2022 https://www.aao.org/eye-health/anatomy/eye-pressure
• JAMA Ophthalmology: The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study: A Randomized Trial Determines That Topical Ocular Hypotensive Medication Delays or Prevents the Onset of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma, 6/2002 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/270953
• Harvard Health Publishing: Who Needs Treatment for Ocular Hypertension, 9/22/2022 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/who-needs-treatment-for-ocular-hypertension-202209202818
• Bright Focus Foundation: Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma, 8/23/2021 https://www.brightfocus.org/glaucoma/article/ocular-hypertension-and-glaucoma
• National Eye Institute: Glaucoma, 11/15/2023 https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma

Follow Safety Rules and Regulations

Although they may be inconvenient at times, safety rules and regulations are in place to protect employees from injuries. Disabling a guard on a piece of machinery or failing to wear your safety goggles could result in temporary or permanent loss of vision due to an eye injury. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, contact with machinery or objects were the most common causes of eye injuries that resulted in a missed day of work.

Make Eye Protection a Priority

Luckily, you can significantly lower your eye injury risk by wearing goggle, face shields, helmets, and other eye safety gear when you’re around machinery or chemicals. The American Optometric Association recommends wearing the appropriate eye protection if you might be exposed to chemicals or their fumes, radiation, lasers, bloodborne pathogens, or concrete, dust, metal, or wood particles.

Protecting yourself from bright light is important if you’re a welder or work outside for long periods. Twenty-five percent of welding injuries affect the eyes, according to Occupational Health & Safety Magazine. Exposure to flashes of light while welding can cause eye pain and swelling. Welding without adequate eye protection could increase your risk for damage to your retina, the light-sensitive tissues at the back of the eye.

Whether you’re welding or working outside, wear eye protection that blocks 100% of ultraviolet A and B rays. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet light may increase your risk of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and skin cancer around the eyes. If the safety glasses or goggles your job provides aren’t comfortable, your eye doctor offers several types of eye protection available in both prescription and non-prescription varieties.

Work with Screens? Breaks Are Important for Your Eye Comfort

According to an analysis by the National Skills Coalition, 92% of jobs now require digital skills. Although laptops, tablets, cellphones and other digital devices undoubtedly make working easier, staring at these screens for hours can cause computer vision syndrome. Symptoms of the syndrome include:

• Eyestrain
• Headaches
• Blurry vision
• Headaches
• Dry Eye
• Neck, Shoulder and Upper Back Pain

Dry eye is a particularly common complaint among screen users, due to decreased blinking. Blinking keeps eyes moist by spreading a layer of tears over the front of the eyes. Unfortunately, people tend to blink less often when viewing screens.

Reminding yourself to blink and taking short breaks can help your eyes stay moist and comfortable. Eye doctors recommend taking breaks every 20 minutes. During the break, look at an object about 20 feet in the distance for 20 seconds.

Improve Your Comfort with a New Pair of Glasses

Harsh office lighting and glare from screens can cause eye discomfort and even trigger migraines. Wearing glasses with special lenses can help you avoid headaches, eyestrain, and uncomfortably dry eyes. For example, rose-tinted FL-41 lenses might be a good idea if you suffer from computer vision syndrome, blepharospasm, or migraines or if you struggle with glare. The lenses filter some blue and green wavelengths that cause light sensitivity, while improving contrast.

Other options include computer glasses that provide clear vision at the optimum distance for viewing screens while filtering blue light and TheraSpecs lenses. Rose-tinted TheraSpecs lenses filter blue light and can be helpful for anyone who has migraines or experiences light sensitivity when exposed to fluorescent and LED lights.

Are your eyes fully protected at work? If not, we’ll help you find eyewear that will keep your eyes safe from injury while providing crystal clear-vision. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Workers Suffered 18,510 Eye-Related Injuries and Illnesses in 2020, 3/31/2023 https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2023/workers-suffered-18510-eye-related-injuries-and-illnesses-in-2020.htm
• American Optometric Association: Protecting Your Eyes at Work https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/protecting-your-vision?sso=y
• Occupational Health & Safety: Preventing Eye Injuries When Welding, 2/1/2007 https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2007/02/Preventing-Eye-Injuries-When-Welding.aspx
• All About Vision: Computer Glasses, 7/18/2023 https://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/computer_glasses.htm
• Medical News Today: How to Prevent Fluorescent Light Headaches, 7/24/2020 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/throbbing-headache#summary

The Role of Vitamin A in Vision

Vitamin A, found naturally in food, helps keep many of the body’s systems functioning normally, including the immune and reproductive systems. This vitamin is essential for the health of your organs, is necessary for normal growth and development, and is crucial for good vision.

Vitamin A helps you maintain good vision by:

• Supporting Night Vision. Without vitamin A, it would be impossible to make rhodopsin, a substance required for good vision when it’s dark or the lights are low. In fact, night blindness can occur if the rod cells in the retina don’t have enough rhodopsin. The rods, along with the cone cells, are photoreceptor cells that absorb light. Rods are responsible for night vision, while the cones play an important role in color vision. Both of these photoreceptor cells are found in the retina, a layer of light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye.
• Keeping Your Eyes Moist. Dry eyes are more than just an uncomfortable inconvenience. Severe dry eye can cause sores on the cornea that scar as they heal, interfering with clear vision. Vitamin A moistens the surface of the eye, helping you avoid dry eyes. Tear quality improved in research study subjects with dry eye after taking vitamin A supplements, according to a study published in Clinical Ophthalmology.
• Preventing Blindness. Vitamin A moistens the entire eye, not just the cornea. Damage to the retina can occur if it becomes too dry due to vitamin A deficiency. Vision loss or blindness can occur as a result.
• Stopping Infections. The tear film in your eyes washes away germs that could cause eye infections. If your eyes are too dry, you may be more likely to develop an infection that could threaten your vision. Luckily, vitamin A lubricates the eyes and reduces your risk of infections.
• Treating Rare Eye Diseases. Vitamin A palmitate, an easily absorbable form of the vitamin, could slow the progression of retinitis pigmentosa, a rare, inherited disorder that affects peripheral (side) and night vision, notes the Foundation Fighting Blindness. A treatment made with a modified form of vitamin A also slowed retinal shrinkage in patients with Stargardt’s disease during a clinical trial conducted by Alkeus Pharmaceuticals. Stargardt’s disease, another rare, inherited eye disease, causes central vision loss. If you have either of these diseases or another eye disease, don’t start taking vitamin A before first speaking to your optometrist

Do You Know How Much Vitamin A You Need?

According to the National Institutes of Health, adult males need 900 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin A daily, while adult females need 700 mcgs. The recommended daily amount in children varies from 400 mcg at birth to 300 mcg from ages 1 to 3 to 600 mcg from ages 9 – 13. Teenagers need more vitamin A, as do pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Vitamin A, or substances called carotenoids that can be converted into vitamin A, are found in many foods, including:

• Fortified Milk and Cereal
• Liver
• Carrots
• Sweet Potatoes
• Spinach
• Squash
• Broccoli
• Eggs
• Milk
• Cheese
• Apricots
• Mangos
• Cantaloupe

Most people get all the vitamin A they need from their diet. If you aren’t getting enough vitamin A, your doctor may recommend supplements. Although supplements can be helpful, they may cause health problems at high dosages. WebMD reports that too much vitamin A can cause headaches, confusion, vomiting, joint pain, dry skin, liver problems, birth defects, and bone density issues. Vitamin A may also interfere with some medications, like cancer drugs, birth control pills, and blood thinners.

Protect your eyes by eating foods high in vitamin A and scheduling yearly checks up with the optometrist. Call our office to make your appointment.

Sources:

• Clinical Ophthalmology: Effects of Short-Term Oral Vitamin Supplementation on the Ocular Tear Film in Patients with Dry Eye, 4/10/2019 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6462169
• Foundation Fighting Blindness: Encouraging Clinical Trial Results for Alkeus’ Stargardt Disease Treatment, 5/2/2022 https://www.fightingblindness.org/research/alkeus-stargardt-trial-254
• Foundation Fighting Blindness: What Everyone with a Retinal Disease Should Know About Vitamin A, 3/10/2015 https://www.fightingblindness.org/research/what-everyone-with-a-retinal-disease-should-know-about-vitamin-a-4148
• National Institutes of Health: Vitamin A and Carotenoids, 8/12/2022 https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-Consumer
• American Academy of Ophthalmology: What Is Vitamin A Deficiency?, 5/2/2023 https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/vitamin-deficiency
• All About Vision: Eye Benefits of Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene, 2/27/2019 https://www.allaboutvision.com/nutrition/vitamin_a.htm

Could Hearing Loss and Vision Loss Be Related?

Wondering why you’re having trouble seeing and hearing? Unfortunately, these sensory problems can happen at the same time in some cases. Hearing and vision loss can be caused by several conditions and diseases, including:

Aging

Tiny hairs in your inner ear pick up sound waves and convert them to nerve signals. The brain receives the signals and changes them to sounds. As you grow older, hair cells die or become damaged, causing hearing loss.

At the same time, you may notice that your vision is worsening. Cataracts are a common age-related reason for poor vision and can be caused by years of sun exposure. Cataracts cloud the lens inside your eye and cause blurry, hazy vision, glare, and faded colors. Cataract surgery improves vision by replacing your cloudy lens with a clear, artificial lens.

Other conditions and diseases that can cause vision loss include glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration, a condition that affects central vision.

Illnesses and Diseases

Measles and chickenpox aren’t just harmless childhood diseases. In fact, these diseases can cause complications that affect hearing and vision. Vaccinating your children will help them avoid measles and chickenpox and the lifelong health problems these diseases may cause.

Diabetic retinopathy, a common cause of vision loss in people who have diabetes, happens if your blood sugar levels are too high for too long. When diabetes is poorly controlled for a long time, blood vessels in the retina leak, interfering with vision. The retina captures light rays as they enter the eye and sends them to the brain for processing.

The brain receives incomplete information from the eyes when blood vessels leak, which causes blurry vision or dark spots. Special injections or laser treatment can stop leaks and shrink swollen blood vessels in the retina.

Diabetes-related hearing loss could be caused by damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the ear. If you already have hearing loss, carefully controlling your blood sugar will prevent further damage, while hearing aids and other assistive devices will make your life easier.

Other diseases and conditions that may cause both hearing and vision loss include cancer, Lyme disease, brain tumors, and meningitis.

Rare Conditions

Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic condition, affects both hearing and vision. Vision loss occurs due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP), an eye disease that causes night blindness and peripheral (side) vision loss. Vision changes often start during adolescence and slowly worsen.

Hearing loss related to Usher syndrome is caused by abnormal hair cell development, according to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Loss of hearing may occur at birth or during childhood. Depending on the severity of the syndrome, learning sign language and using hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive devices can be helpful.

Low vision aids and assistive devices can help you make the most of your vision if you have Usher syndrome. Vitamin A supplements could slow the progression of RP, according to the National Eye Institute. However, the supplements should only be taken with the approval of your doctor, as too much vitamin A can cause health problems.

Other rare conditions that may affect vision and hearing include deafness myopia syndrome and Susac syndrome. Deafness and myopia syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes severe nearsightedness and moderate to profound hearing loss. Susac syndrome is an autoimmune condition that damages small blood vessels in the ears, eyes, and brain

Down Syndrome

Hearing and vision loss may also affect children and adults with Down syndrome. As many as 75% of children with the syndrome have hearing loss and more than 50% have problems with vision, according to Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Cataracts, myopia (nearsightedness), strabismus (crossed eyes), or involuntary eye movements can impair vision. Cataract surgery, eyeglasses, and hearing aids help people with Down syndrome improve their hearing and vision.

Other Causes

A major head injury could damage your eyes and ears, leading to temporary or permanent vision and hearing loss. Temporary or permanent hearing loss might also occur after taking certain medications, like chemotherapy drugs and some antibiotic and cholesterol medications.

Have you noticed a change in your vision? Contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

• National Eye Institute: Usher Syndrome, 12/14/2021 https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/usher-syndrome
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Diabetes and Hearing Loss, 5/27/2022 https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/diabetes-hearing-loss.html
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: What Conditions or Disorders Are Commonly Associated with Down Syndrome?, 1/31/2017 https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/down/conditioninfo/associated
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Usher Syndrome https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/usher-syndrome
• All About Vision: Will My Sight Be Affected by My Hearing Loss?, 1/21/2020 https://www.allaboutvision.com/over60/vision-and-hearing-loss
• MedlinePlus: Deafness and Myopia Syndrome https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/deafness-and-myopia-syndrome/#synonyms
• CDC: Diabetes and Hearing Loss, 5/27/2022 https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/diabetes-hearing-loss.html
• Cleveland Clinic: Susac Syndrome https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15073-susac-syndrome