Causes of visual impairment

Deterioration of vision is one of the main problems of ophthalmology today. Vision deteriorates not only in elderly and mature people, but also in children. There is a tendency for this problem to become younger. Increasingly, this problem appears as a complication of other diseases, medical and surgical procedures.

Cause

The main reason is related to the lack of necessary tone of the eye muscles. As a result, the muscle weakens, myopia develops, and vision deteriorates. Normally, it should perform large volumes of work every day. This was the case before. People used their eyes in every possible way. The curvature of the lens was constantly changing. For this reason, the eye muscle was also constantly involved in the work.

The second reason includes changes in the lens (cataracts) that occur with age. They are associated with natural processes during which the eye inevitably ages. First of all, the light-sensitive pigment that makes up the retinal cells is destroyed. It is thanks to this pigment that visual acuity is maintained. Over time, the pigment is destroyed, and visual acuity decreases accordingly.

Vision may also be impaired due to circulatory problems, which can be caused by both a general disruption of blood flow in the body and insufficient blood supply to the retina. Weak cerebral circulation is especially detrimental. The components of the retina are sensitive to normal blood circulation. They require a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, as well as a constant outflow of carbon dioxide and metabolic products. Circulatory problems are clearly visible when examining the fundus.

Excessive attempts to examine objects that are too small have a negative effect.

Dry eyes contribute to decreased vision. It is directly related to insufficient muscle activity and excessive fixation of the eye. When a person works at a computer, intense concentration occurs, as a result of which the blinking frequency decreases. Research has confirmed that when working at a computer, a person blinks approximately 3-4 times less often than in natural conditions. The higher the responsibility and the degree of stress of the work, the less often a person begins to blink.

Today, most people simply “forget” to blink after such intense work. If you watch yourself, you will notice that a person begins to blink more often if he remembers the importance of this process and controls it consciously. This indicates that blinking, as a natural reflex and as a mechanism for protecting the eye from excessive drying and overstrain, is gradually being lost. The importance of blinking cannot be underestimated, since it is what provides the necessary level of moisture in the mucous membrane of the eye, its antibacterial and antiviral protection. It is blinking that stimulates the lacrimal glands, which produce more tear fluid to moisturize the eye.

Deterioration of vision due to osteochondrosis

Any damage or disease of the spine, including osteochondrosis, can lead to circulatory problems and vision impairment. Osteochondrosis begins with mild pain in the neck and head. The disease progresses rapidly, the pain intensifies, dizziness develops, vision and hearing gradually deteriorate. A person can reach a state of fainting.

Often, a person does not associate a disease such as osteochondrosis with osteochondrosis. But in vain, because all pathologies of the organ of vision develop precisely against the background of a violation of innervation and blood circulation in the spine and those segments with which it is connected.

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Cervical osteochondrosis

With this pathology, vision deteriorates quite quickly. After all, it is through the cervical region that one of the most important blood vessels, the spinal one, enters the cranium. It supplies the brain and all its parts, as well as other organs located in the upper part of the body with oxygen, nutrients, while eliminating carbon dioxide and metabolic products. With the development of osteochondrosis, the destruction of cartilage tissue and the deposition of salts occur. In this case, the normal blood flow is disrupted, obstacles are formed in the natural vascular bed.

Metabolism is gradually disrupted, hypoxia and hypercapnia develop, metabolic products accumulate, which leads to intoxication. This only worsens the situation, problems with blood circulation in the brain appear, the brain does not receive the required amount of oxygen and nutrients, and experiences starvation, including oxygen starvation.

Cervical osteochondrosis develops as a result of malfunctions in the spine, especially its cervical section. The vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the occipital part and the medulla oblongata, is affected. These sections innervate the analyzers, in particular, the visual sections. Due to hypoxia, vision is impaired. The main manifestations of this pathology are ripples before the eyes, the formation of various colored spots. Many people see double, they notice floating circles before their eyes and the appearance of various images. Against this background, the clarity of perception may decrease, and it may periodically darken in the eyes. If it is dark outside, a person sees even worse.

A distinctive feature of the consequences of cervical osteochondrosis is fog before the eyes. But often, patients do not attach importance to this symptom and consider it a sign of overwork, dizziness. But in fact, this is one of the early signs of osteochondrosis. If such a symptom is detected, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. This will make it possible to identify and prevent serious pathologies of the organ of vision. If the patient complains that he is accompanied by fog, periodically appearing before the eyes, it means that numerous pathologies have already developed, such as: dilated pupils, limited mobility, tics. Protrusion of the eyeball outward, distortion of the display of the perceived image may occur. Progression varies significantly, depending on the influencing factors. It can end in complete blindness.

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Vision loss in diabetes

Vision loss is a fairly common concomitant pathology that accompanies diabetes mellitus.Diabetic retinopathy develops in 90% of patients with diabetes mellitus. This condition can be described as a condition of vision deterioration caused by damage to the capillaries and vessels of the retina.

In more severe cases, the blood vessels of the brain are also affected. As a result, the retina is left without the necessary blood supply. Often, this pathology affects one eye at first, then, gradually, the pathological process can spread. The lesions that develop are irreversible. Therefore, patients with a history of diabetes mellitus and any carbohydrate metabolism disorders need constant preventive examinations.

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Deterioration of vision when working at a computer

Visual function deteriorates due to weakening of the eye muscle. The convexity or plane of the eye lens is determined by the distance from the object to the eye. When the distance changes, the curvature changes. This engages the muscle and trains the eye. Today, more and more people work at the computer or with literature. There is a constant concentration of attention and gaze on the monitor, the eye acquires a fixed position, the muscle that controls the lens practically does not work. Gradually loses tone, and subsequently cannot fully regulate the curvature of the lens. As a result, computer vision syndrome develops, vision deteriorates.

And one more reason, again, the computer. It is not only about fixation in one position. The human brain is built by analogy with digital systems, in particular, with a camera. The system strives to photograph the entire screen and save the image in memory. The implementation of this task requires the need to focus perception on a large number of flickering dots. The focus is constantly changing, defocusing of the gaze occurs. Gradually, blood circulation and metabolic processes inside the eye become imbalanced, which also negatively affects vision.

In addition, such work is energy-consuming and requires a large amount of nutrients and energy. As a result, a large amount of the enzyme rhodopsin is consumed. It is restored quite slowly and with difficulty, so vision deteriorates.

Cataracts and vision loss

Vision may deteriorate due to cataracts. Cataracts are one of the forms of lens pathology that is quite common in older people. Congenital cataracts are rare.

The main reason for its development is pathological metabolism. It can be a consequence of traumatic impact or the influence of free radical particles. The process begins with one-sided pathology, then the second eye begins to be affected. The disease can progress all the time, up to complete blindness.

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Deterioration of vision due to high blood pressure

Pressure surges are accompanied by short-term or permanent vision loss, which is caused by increased pressure on the vessels, which results in their tone and fullness increasing. This puts pressure on the innervated areas, which also disrupts their metabolic processes and sharply increases their tone.

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Stroke and vision loss

High blood pressure can lead to a stroke. During a stroke, the vessels cannot withstand the high pressure on them from the inside and rupture. There is a hemorrhage into the brain, or into the cavity of the organ where the rupture occurred. If the areas responsible for the quality of vision, regulation are affected, it will decrease, become distorted, and even complete blindness may develop.

Deterioration of vision in VSD

Vegetative-vascular dystonia is a vascular pathology in which a violation of vascular tone develops. As a result, pressure drops occur. It can periodically increase or decrease. All this leads to the fact that the tone and elasticity of the vessels is gradually lost, they become more fragile, are easily subject to various mechanical damage, and can easily rupture, unable to withstand the tone. All this is accompanied by a violation of blood circulation. The organs that are innervated by these vessels suffer from a lack of oxygen and nutrients, metabolic products and carbon dioxide are not excreted. As a result, vision is reduced.

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Deterioration of vision and astigmatism

Astigmatism can lead to pathology of the visual system. Astigmatism is understood as a change in the acuity of visual processes in the horizontal and vertical directions, resulting in distorted perception. For example, a normal point is projected as an eight or ellipsoid structure. The main manifestation of astigmatism is blurriness. The image also doubles, and the eye gets tired very quickly. Astigmatism often develops against the background of near or far vision disorders. Mixed pathology can develop.

Vision loss after lens replacement

There are many diseases that can only be cured by surgery. There are a number of diseases that require lens replacement. In this case, a person's natural lens is replaced with an artificial one. People with cataracts, which cause clouding of the lens and partial, or less commonly, complete loss of vision, cannot do without such an operation.

Although lens replacement surgeries have improved, there is still a risk of complications. One of the dangerous complications is vision deterioration. In some cases, the deterioration continues during the postoperative period, after which it recovers on its own. But sometimes the disorder progresses and requires special intervention to restore it.

Normally, vision should be restored immediately after surgery. Its full restoration ends after a week, less often this process can last up to a month. Deterioration can occur as a complication. Most often, this process is caused by infection, intraocular inflammation, displacement of the artificial lens, and increased intraocular pressure.

Sometimes late complications occur, which develop several months after the operation. Often, secondary cataracts develop, which appear as a result of secondary growth of natural lens cells. The fact is that it is almost impossible to completely remove epithelial cells. And they have a high degree of regeneration, and are capable of recovering in a relatively short time. Excessive growth leads to the fact that epithelial cells cover the capsular bag, which contains the artificial lens. Accordingly, visibility is blocked. Today, such a pathology is quite easily eliminated with the help of laser therapy, which prevents further growth and restoration of epithelial tissue.

Also, the causes of secondary cataract development are hidden in the cellular reactions of the body. The cells of the remaining epithelium can turn into fibers of a fairly dense consistency. They are functionally inferior, have an irregular shape, and are not transparent. Growing around the capsular bag, they completely disrupt visibility. Complete opacity develops when they grow into the central part of the optical zone.

Fibrosis of the capsule may also occur after surgery. There are many reasons, primarily transformation processes that began in the surrounding tissues under the influence of various causes. The main factors are the patient's age. It occurs more often in children, since a young organism has a higher ability to regenerate. This causes increased migration of epithelial cells and their division in the back of the capsule, which may result in obstruction of the view and impaired visibility.

To prevent vision deterioration after surgery, it is recommended to follow a number of simple rules for the postoperative period. For the first week after surgery, you cannot sleep on your stomach or on the side of the operated eye. Do not allow water to enter your eye. It is important to provide protection from bright light, dust, and wind. The time spent watching TV and using the computer should be strictly limited. You cannot visit beaches, solariums, baths, saunas, and avoid overwork and physical exertion.

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Vision loss after blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is an operation to correct defects of the upper and lower eyelids. Despite the seemingly harmless nature of the operation, it has quite a lot of side effects and complications. Thus, the main complication, which is observed most often, should be considered deterioration of vision and bleeding. These two complications are closely interconnected, since bleeding entails deterioration of trophism, as well as deterioration of the main metabolic processes, hypoxia. As a result, vision indicators are given. It is quite easy to avoid this complication.

In most cases, it is a consequence of improper or insufficient preparation for surgery. Several weeks before the planned surgery, you should stop taking any medications that thin the blood, and also exclude all foods that may contain components that thin the blood.

You should not engage in too much physical activity, exclude baths and saunas, alcohol consumption, and other factors that can directly or indirectly affect blood clotting. You should also carefully approach the choice of a doctor. The operation should be entrusted only to a highly qualified specialist who can competently and accurately perform it without damaging blood vessels.

In addition to bleeding, other factors such as hematomas and bruises can also cause vision impairment. These are bruises that form compactions in soft tissues. In these areas, blood flow is disrupted, its functions and composition change, and pressure is exerted on the surrounding nerve endings. Hematomas later resolve on their own, so there is no need to worry too much.

Vision is restored as the hematomas are absorbed. Usually, no additional measures need to be taken. In rare cases, special ointments and other means are prescribed to absorb the compaction and normalize blood circulation. If large, overhanging clots appear, it is necessary to localize the hematoma. To do this, you need to wait about 2 weeks. Usually, localization occurs on its own, without additional measures. Then, the dried blood is removed. To further restore the surrounding tissues and vision, various physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out, and medications are prescribed to absorb hematomas and normalize tissue metabolism.

Often, lacrimation develops, which gradually leads to inflammation of the mucous membrane and decreased vision. The cause is usually severe swelling of the eyelids, which presses on the lacrimal canal, which contributes to increased lacrimation. With prolonged lacrimation, the lacrimal canal narrows, resulting in the formation of a scar, which also puts pressure on the surrounding tissues, disrupts metabolic processes and contributes to decreased vision, disruption of other basic functions.

Lacrimation, inflammation, and circulatory failure often lead to dry eyes. This may be due to the individual characteristics of a person, the state of his local immunity, which is determined by the ability to produce immunoglobulin A, which provides the functional characteristics of the mucous membranes, stimulating local immunity. The consequence of insufficient moisture in the eye is a decrease in vision.

Such a complication appears against the background of increased tearfulness of the eyes, which was long before the operation. Also, the cause may be mechanical damage, disruption of metabolic processes of the eye, development of keratoconjunctivitis. For treatment, various moisturizing drops are prescribed, which help normalize the mucous membrane of the eye. After normalization of the mucous membrane, a gradual restoration of vision occurs.

Another reason may be conjunctivitis, which occurs as a result of infection, failure to observe asepsis and hygiene standards. It may develop if the rehabilitation regime is not followed in the postoperative period. For treatment, antibiotic drops must be administered, and the basic rules of the postoperative period must be followed.

Drooping of the outer corner can also lead to a disruption of the basic functions of the eye, including decreased vision. Drooping is caused by strong tension of the lower eyelid, which occurs as a result of too much skin being removed. Usually, this effect goes away within six months, but if after this period the condition has not normalized and vision continues to decline, you should consult a doctor to take measures to restore vision and normalize the eyelid.

For similar reasons, it becomes impossible to close the eyes. It occurs when too much skin is removed from the upper eyelid. As a result, the mucous membrane dries out, the eye muscle is overstrained, and vision deteriorates. Usually, after some time, this condition passes, which entails the restoration of the basic functions of the eye. But if there is no restoration, treatment and repeated surgery may be required.

Usually, the decrease in vision is temporary, the loss of vision is not significant. A significant decrease in vision is almost never observed. Complete blindness also almost never develops. The incidence of a sharp decrease in vision after blepharoplasty varies from 1 to 2 cases per 10,000. The main causes should still be recognized as bleeding in the back of the eyeball, which leads to orbital or retrobulbar hemorrhage. This, in turn, entails an increase in intraocular pressure, which does not allow blood to flow in sufficient quantities to the lens, retina, and eye muscle. This leads to visual impairment, less often - damage to the auditory nerve.

Most of these hemorrhages occur within 48 hours after surgery and cause severe pain and visual impairment. A person may also experience optical illusions and double vision. The eyes protrude forward. If the eyeball protrudes, this is an alarming syndrome that requires urgent repeated surgical intervention, otherwise vision loss may occur.

Also, the effect of anesthesia may cause a decrease in vision in the first hours after surgery. This effect disappears after some time after its effect ends.

Despite such complications, blepharoplasty should not be feared, especially, it should not be avoided if there are indications. If the operation is performed correctly, complications do not occur. The technique is well-developed, the operation is classified as low-trauma. If performed correctly and with correct preparation, compliance with the postoperative regimen, complications do not occur. This is due to the fact that the operation affects only the eyelids and does not affect the eye itself. In addition, special pads are used during the operation, which protect the eyeball itself from negative effects.

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Vision loss after chemotherapy

Chemotherapy causes numerous side effects and irreversible consequences in the body. One of the main complications is deterioration of vision. There may be many reasons for this. First of all, these are the consequences of radiation, taking such drugs as cytostatics, cytotoxins, which slow down metabolic processes, prevent cell division, reproduction, as well as their accelerated growth, have a toxic effect, which can lead to pathology and even cell death. Targeted action specifically on cancer cells has not yet been achieved. Therefore, chemotherapy affects all cells and structures of the body, including the eye, optic nerve.

Immunity and general resistance of the body are significantly reduced, general weakness and body aches are observed. Hair may fall out, the sensitivity of all analyzers, including the visual, decreases. The composition and functions of the blood are disrupted, and accordingly, the supply of all organs with essential nutrients and oxygen decreases. Metabolic products, carbon dioxide, and toxins are not removed from cells and tissues. And the retina of the eye is especially sensitive to lack of oxygen and excess carbon dioxide, destructive processes begin to occur in it. Hypoxia, hypercapnia, and intoxication develop.

Vision may deteriorate as a result of thrombocytopenia. This disease is a disorder characterized by a low level of platelets in the blood. They are responsible for normal blood clotting. A decrease in their number entails the development of bleeding. Excessive bleeding in the retina can not only reduce vision, but also cause its complete loss.

Hemorrhagic purpura, in which platelets produce antibodies that destroy platelets, can also lead to thrombocytopenia. This also entails the risk of spontaneous bleeding. The likelihood of increased strokes and intraocular pressure increases significantly. The eye vessels may not withstand high pressure and burst. Since the body contains few platelets, blood clotting practically does not occur. The volume of hemorrhage can be large. It is often difficult to restore damaged areas. As a result, not only does vision deteriorate, but it can also be completely lost.

Anemia that occurs after chemotherapy can cause decreased vision. The essence of the disease is that the bone marrow produces too few red blood cells, or they have a low hemoglobin content. As a result, they are unable to attach and carry the required amount of oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. Almost all internal organs and nerves suffer from a lack of oxygen. The retina is especially sensitive to oxygen. When there is a lack of oxygen, destructive processes occur in the retina, resulting in a sharp deterioration in vision. The progression of anemia entails further deterioration of vision, up to its complete loss.

Not only decreased but also increased blood clotting can lead to circulatory disorders. Usually the number of red blood cells and the number of platelets are closely interconnected. Usually after chemotherapy there is decreased clotting, but sometimes it can also increase. As a result, platelets react with each other, their aggregation occurs. That is, the formation of glued complexes. They can be deposited inside the vessels, close the vascular lumens, and thrombi are formed. This can lead to complete blockage of any vessel, including the vessel of the brain, eye. This increases the risk of hemorrhages.

A dangerous complication of chemotherapy is a violation of the number and ratio of leukocytes, which affects the state of the immune system as a whole, as well as the state of individual organs and systems. The most dangerous is neutropenia, in which the number of granulocytes decreases sharply. The main function is to fight infection.

Immune dysfunction develops, both local and general immunity indicators are disrupted. Local immunity, which maintains the normal state of the mucous membranes, is significantly reduced. This leads to the development of their dryness, disruption of their structure and protein composition. The risk of developing infectious diseases and inflammations increases. The mucous membrane of the eye dries out, this reduces its protective properties, causes inflammation, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis. As a result, internal structures are damaged, including the optic nerve. The normal state of the retina and other light-perceiving components of the eye is disrupted, vision is reduced, or its various deviations develop.

Autoimmune processes are also dangerous, in which the immune system begins to synthesize antibodies against the body's own cells that have been damaged by chemotherapy and have become foreign. As a result, autoimmune aggression develops, all affected cells are destroyed, which can lead to disruption of the structure and function of the affected organs. The cells of the retina are especially sensitive to various effects. They quickly degenerate and transform under the influence of chemotherapy, and are then attacked by the body's own immune system. Destruction of cells leads to disruption of the structural and functional state of the eye, vision is reduced. Its complete loss may occur.

Visual impairment due to atropinization

Atropinization is a method by which accommodation disorders of the eye can be eliminated and cycloplegia can be provided. In case of visual impairment, this defect reaches critical limits and becomes an everyday condition of the eye. It helps to effectively restore vision to normal values, especially if the cause is accommodation disorder of the eye. It makes it possible to diagnose the features of farsightedness under accommodation strain. This is an important diagnostic criterion. The essence of the procedure consists in instillation of atropine sulfate solution into the conjunctival sac. The solution is dripped one drop twice a day for about 2 weeks.

This remedy can cause various side effects, including decreased vision, dry mucous membranes, both in the eye and in the mouth. Redness and severe irritation develop. Most often, binocular vision decreases, but various other pathologies also occur quite often.

The following recommendation will help reduce these side effects: use eye drops only after meals.

Complications are very dangerous, up to and including loss of vision. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the treatment regimen and not to engage in self-medication. Strict monitoring by an ophthalmologist is mandatory. The most dangerous days are considered to be the 4th, 7th, 10th and 14th. It is on this day that the doctor should conduct an examination and monitor vision to prevent its sharp deterioration and loss.

A slight decrease in vision is normal. It can be considered as an effect of the drug. It is restored to normal values after the end of the course of treatment. Despite the fact that the child experiences some difficulties, all types of activities are allowed. It is not recommended to be in bright light, since the pupil does not dilate.

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Vision deterioration after laser correction

Today, laser correction is often used to treat vision impairment. The operation is quite effective, but not safe. It can cause many serious complications. Further vision impairment after laser correction can occur as a result of corneal proliferation, excessive abrasion of the corneal epithelial tissue, corneal inflammation, and dry eye syndrome.

Complications may occur in patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, herpes virus infection, and other immune system disorders. Complications may occur if surgery has already been performed to treat retinal detachment, with insufficient corneal thickness, against the background of progressive myopia and cataracts.

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Deterioration of vision after surgery

After surgery, vision may deteriorate due to recovery processes and inflammation. Often, such processes are short-term and after complete restoration of damaged tissues, vision is restored.

But there are also cases of complications when a severe inflammatory or infectious process develops. Retinal detachment and corneal growth may also occur. Quite often, dry eye syndrome develops after surgery, which also contributes to decreased vision. Such complications require urgent treatment, without which the person may end up completely blind.

Deteriorating vision and stress

Constant fatigue, stress, and nervous and mental overstrain can become the trigger factors that contribute to vision loss. Of no lesser importance in the development of the pathological process is, first of all, spasm, deterioration of cerebral circulation. As a result of these processes, there is also a decrease in the quality of ocular circulation. The retina is the most sensitive to changes in blood circulation, to lack of oxygen.

At the slightest pathology, it is immediately subject to degenerative processes. The eyes are the first to react to general fatigue, since they contain a large number of receptors, sensitive hormones. Deterioration of vision and eye fatigue are the first sign of fatigue, but a person rarely pays attention to this.

The most effective way to relax the entire body is to relax the eyes. As soon as the eyes are completely relaxed, a signal is immediately sent to the brain that the stress level has become lower, and the body relaxes.

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Deterioration of vision in neurosis

Neurosis can cause both short-term and long-term vision loss. Neurosis causes a disruption in the regulation of the eye analyzer by the corresponding parts of the brain.

Often, with neuroses, arterial and intracranial pressure increases, which has a damaging effect. In patients with neuroses, it has been established that peripheral vision narrows significantly, then begins to fall at an equally stable rate.

Often women have psychogenic blindness, which is the final stage of neuroses. When studying the anamnesis, stigmas are found, which often manifest themselves in the form of a stuffy throat, a sore throat. Pseudoparesis, paralysis, hyperkinesis may develop. At the same time, the fundus and pupillary reactions remain normal. The tests also do not indicate any signs that could indicate the development of blindness or decreased vision.

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Deterioration of vision with conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes and cornea of the eye. It often develops against the background of a bacterial or viral infection, weakening of the body. In this case, the inflammatory process can be accompanied by the formation of purulent exudate, excessive lacrimation. The disease is accompanied by a decrease in vision.

At first, a light veil appears before the eyes, the person does not clearly see the surrounding objects. After this, blindness gradually begins to increase, the person stops seeing even close objects. The eye seems to be covered with a white veil. Often this is a bacterial film. It is formed as a result of the reproduction and vital activity of bacteria.

Deterioration of vision during menopause

There is a sharp change in the hormonal background. As a result, the normal functioning of all organs and systems is disrupted. The nervous system is also subject to changes. The functioning of the pituitary-adrenal system changes first of all.

Changes in the functioning of these systems entail changes in all the main functions and processes. In particular, the circulatory system suffers, and metabolism is disrupted. Changes that occur in the circulatory system during menopause affect the vessels: the lumen of the vessels narrows sharply, atherosclerotic plaques are deposited, and the tone of the vessels decreases. This leads to hypoxia, insufficient blood transport through the vessels, and a lack of nutrients. The cornea becomes depleted, the moving muscle loses its tone, and vision declines.

Deterioration of vision with sinusitis

During sinusitis, an inflammatory-infectious process begins, it is transmitted to other organs and systems. Inflammation of the eye and auxiliary structures occurs. Often, vision will decline against the background of sinusitis, as a consequence of the fact that the optic nerve becomes inflamed. Damage to the corresponding areas of the brain responsible for processing visual signals can be noted.

Vision loss in multiple sclerosis

Approximately 16% of people are accompanied by retrobulbar neuritis, which manifests itself as an acute decrease in vision. A subacute form is observed. The central visual field acts as the main area of damage. The optic nerve is predominantly affected.

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Deterioration of vision during acute respiratory viral infections

An acute respiratory viral infection, like any other infection, can lead to the development of an inflammatory process in the eye area. The infection can be transmitted through the blood or come from the nasopharynx through the nasolacrimal canal.

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Vision loss after flu

After the flu, vision may deteriorate due to complications. The flu virus can affect the mucous membranes and can also penetrate the eye, causing various inflammatory and infectious processes. The most dangerous complication is inflammation of the optic nerve or the part of the brain that innervates it.

Visual impairment due to high intracranial pressure

It develops slowly and manifests itself as a headache localized in the back of the head. Less often, it spreads to the entire head and even radiates to other parts of the body, such as the neck and legs. It is idiopathic in nature and acts as one of the symptoms of other pathologies, such as endocrine disorders, iron deficiency anemia, and pregnancy.

Intracranial pressure is also necessarily accompanied by visual impairment, which develops acutely and rapidly. This is usually due to the fact that the abducens nerve is affected. Damage can be localized on one side or both sides. When examining the fundus, the doctor diagnoses optic nerve edema. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure increases significantly - its indicators range from 250 to 450 mm H2O.

A CT or MRI scan is required to diagnose the condition. These studies usually reveal a decrease in the size of the brain ventricles. Conservative treatment is used first. If it is ineffective, decompressive trepanation is performed.

Vision loss after TBI

Traumatic brain injury can lead to decreased vision. Firstly, cerebral blood circulation is disrupted, the eye does not receive the necessary amount of nutrients and oxygen. In addition, a pinched nerve can occur. Everything depends on the severity and extent of brain damage.

Particularly dangerous are fractures of the skull base areas, as well as areas localized near the optic nerve. Clinical manifestations include various anomalies and injuries. Pathologies are easily detected using ultrasound.

Deterioration of vision due to poisoning

Various toxic substances can reduce visual acuity. As a result of poisoning, optic neuropathy can develop, which is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the eye area and a sharp decrease in visual acuity. Vision is especially often reduced after poisoning with methyl alcohol, tobacco. Cases of poisoning with ethyl alcohol are known.

Acid and vapor poisoning is dangerous. The most dangerous chemicals for vision include disulfuram, cyanides, and phenothiazines. Isoniazid, which is used to treat tuberculosis, is very dangerous. Long-term use of this drug, or a single high dose, leads to poisoning and decreased vision.

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Pathogenesis

Pathogenesis depends on the cause that led to the deterioration of vision. Most often, vision deteriorates as a result of myopia. This is a disease that is characterized by a decrease in the tone of the eye muscle. Normally, the muscle should be in tone, it should constantly work. It changes the curvature of the crystal depending on the image that needs to be processed.

Today, more and more people work at the computer, fixing their gaze on one point. The lens works in one rhythm, practically without changing the curvature. Accordingly, the muscle is not involved. Over time, it weakens, loses tone. As a result, when it is necessary to change the curvature, the muscle cannot fully contract, its functional activity is significantly reduced. Vision also deteriorates.

Pathogenesis can also be associated with age-related changes in the eye. With age, the eye muscle weakens, the amount of rhodopsin (the pigment responsible for color vision) decreases. Blood circulation and normal metabolism are also disrupted, hypoxia develops. This leads to a decrease in visual acuity, impaired night vision and color perception, and the development of degenerative processes in the retina. Usually, vision loss is constantly progressing. It is almost impossible to cure it, it can only be partially restored. But it is possible to provide full prevention, which will prevent the development of pathology.

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Epidemiology

Approximately 75% of the population has eye diseases. In 82% of people, this is due to weakening of the eye muscle. Age-related degenerative disorders in the eye, which eventually lead to blindness in 93% of elderly people. In people aged 45 to 55, decreased vision is observed in 50% of people, in people aged 55 to 75, pathologies of the organ of vision are observed in 74% of people. In people over 75, decreased vision or any form of its disorder manifests itself in 98% of people. Among children, the frequency of visual impairment is 32%.

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