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Vision problems

There are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances such as halos, blurred vision, blind spots or scotomas and even dry eye. Vision loss and blindness are the most severe vision problems. Vision changes and problems can be caused by many different conditions including macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. Regular eye check-ups with your optometrist are important.

Antioxidant vitamins for eye health? Research evidence provides clarity

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Cataracts: Which surgery is best?

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Vision as we age: Understanding common eye conditions

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45 Show All 6Blog Posts 20Evidence Summaries 19Web Resource Ratings 3Patient Decision Aids

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Evidence Summary

Exercise alone, and in combination with different fall prevention strategies may lower the risk of falls leading to injuries in older adults 65 and over
JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association (2017)
Evidence Summary

Conjunctival autograft for pterygium.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for preventing age-related macular degeneration
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2012)
Evidence Summary

Laser-assisted cataract surgery versus standard ultrasound phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2023)
Evidence Summary

Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for preventing age-related macular degeneration.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

Multifocal versus monofocal intraocular lenses after cataract extraction.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Inpatient cataract surgery has similar outcomes but is more costly than day-care cataract surgery
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2015)
Evidence Summary

Treatment is effective for many eye problems, but screening people who do not have eye symptoms doesn’t improve benefits
JAMA (2016)
Evidence Summary

Laser-assisted cataract surgery versus standard ultrasound phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Over the counter (OTC) artificial tear drops for dry eye syndrome.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Laser treatment of drusen to prevent progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Combined surgery versus cataract surgery alone for eyes with cataract and glaucoma.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for prevention of postoperative vitreous cavity haemorrhage after vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Vitrectomy for idiopathic macular hole.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Antioxidant vitamin supplementation for preventing and slowing the progression of age-related cataract
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2012)
Evidence Summary

Antiviral treatment and other therapeutic interventions for herpes simplex virus epithelial keratitis.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Blood pressure control for diabetic retinopathy.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for diabetic macular oedema.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2014)
Web Resource Rating

Cataract surgery
Mayo Clinic

A cataract causes blurry vision. Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens from your eye and replaces it with an artificial one. Cataract surgery usually takes an hour or less to complete, and you go home the same day.
Web Resource Rating

Blepharitis
Mayo Clinic

Blepharitis is an eye condition that results in swelling of your eyelids. Symptoms include watery, itchy, red eyes. Wash eyelids with a warm washcloth and diluted baby shampoo to reduce symptoms. Some medications may also help.
Web Resource Rating

Wet macular degeneration
Mayo Clinic

Wet macular degeneration causes blurry vision or blind spots. Medications are usually the first step in treatment. Avoid and manage degeneration through routine eye exams, not smoking, and managing your diet. Other tips are available in this resource.
Patient Decision Aid

LASIK surgery: Is it right for you?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people tired of wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses decide on whether or not to have LASIK surgery by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options. It also includes alternative options such as PRK, LASEK, epi-LASIK, implantable lenses, bioptics, and intracorneal ring segments.
Web Resource Rating

Dry macular degeneration
Mayo Clinic

Your risk of getting dry macular degeneration increases with age, family history or heart disease. To help prevent it, maintain a healthy diet and body weight, avoid smoking and get regular eye exams. Other tips for prevention, management and coping in this resource.
Web Resource Rating

Cataracts Causes, Symptoms, Vision Tests, and Surgery
Medicine Net

Lower your risk of cataracts by not smoking, limiting alcohol, controlling diabetes and wearing sunglasses. Eyeglasses or contact lenses can help correct vision. Cataract surgery is a safe and effective treatment. Pictures in this slideshow.
Web Resource Rating

Cataracts
Mayo Clinic

Clouded vision is a symptom of cataracts. Surgery is the only effective treatment when prescription glasses cannot keep your vision clear. To help prevent cataracts, get regular eye exams, avoid alcohol and cigarettes, wear sunglasses, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Details and questions to ask your doctor in this resource.
Web Resource Rating

LASIK surgery: Is it right for you?
Mayo Clinic

LASIK surgery can help correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Risks include dry eyes, vision disturbance, and problems healing. Before surgery, talk with your eye doctor about the risks and benefits of treatment options (details in this resource).
Web Resource Rating

What medications are used to treat wet AMD?
Informed Health Online

There are several drugs that can help temporarily stop or slow vision loss for people with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but there is no cure.
Web Resource Rating

Recognize these common eye conditions
Medicine Net

This resource provides a series of photos that show what different eye conditions look like, such as macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. It also provides information and treatment options for common eye conditions.
Web Resource Rating

Causes and Risk Factors of Macular Degeneration
About Health

Smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, low level of antioxidants and sun exposure can all increase your risk of macular degeneration. Age, gender, and family history also affect your risk.
Web Resource Rating

Scleritis Types, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
About Health

Scleritis occurs when the white of the eye is inflamed and can cause pain and vision loss. Look for symptoms such as eye pain, tenderness, tearing, blurry or decreased vision, and eye redness. See your eye doctor for a diagnosis and treatment options.
Web Resource Rating

Angioid streaks
About Health

Angioid streaks, or "cracks" in the retina of your eye, can lead to vision loss. There is no cure, but laser treatment and/or surgery can help. Check for early signs of angioid streaks with annual eye exams. Talk to your eye doctor about other ways to protect your eyes.
Patient Decision Aid

Nearsightedness: Should I Have Laser Surgery?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with myopia decide on whether or not to have laser surgery by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Evidence Summary

Designing living environments that promote independence and control are important for people with dementia and sight loss
Ageing and Society (2018)
Patient Decision Aid

Cataracts: Should I have surgery?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with cataracts decide on whether or not to have surgery by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Slide show: Age-related vision problems
Mayo Clinic

Recognize signs of eye floaters, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration which can occur with age. Speak with your doctor about changes in your eyesight.
Web Resource Rating

Evaporative dry eye
About Health

Evaporative dry eye is a specific type of dry eye syndrome. Your eye doctor can diagnose this condition with several tests. Treatment can include warm compresses, eyelid massage, or antibiotics.
Web Resource Rating

Recovering from cataract surgery
NHS Choices

Arrange for someone to take you home after your cataract surgery and to help care for you until your vision returns. Take it easy for the first few days and follow the advice of your doctor for recovering at home.
Web Resource Rating

Eye health tips for older people
NHS Choices

Get your eyes checked regularly. Eat healthy, wear sunglasses, quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight, use good lighting, exercise, and sleep well to keep your eyes healthy. If you notice any changes in your eyesight, talk to your eye doctor.
Blog Post

Vision as we age: Understanding common eye conditions

As we age, our eyes undergo natural changes, and the risk of certain eye disorders increases. In this webinar recording, Dr. Nina Ahuja discusses the most common and significant eye conditions affecting older adults, including an overview of cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Get a clear understanding of these conditions, their symptoms, and the latest treatment options.
Blog Post

Cataracts: Which surgery is best?

Deciding on which type of cataract surgery to get? Take a look at what the evidence shows to help you make an informed decision.
Blog Post

Fact or fiction: Research reveals the truth about common supplements

There are many claims out there about the health benefits of dietary supplements, but not all claims are backed by evidence. Talk to your health care provider about which supplements may be beneficial to you.
Blog Post

Cataract surgery: Seeing the world through a different lens

If you are facing cataract surgery, your thoughts about which artificial lens to choose might be as cloudy as the lens in your eye. Multifocal and monofocal lenses are both good options, but each comes with pros and cons. Find out which lens choice is best for you.
Blog Post

Fact or fiction: research reveals the truth about common medications

Based on the research evidence, some drugs are getting credit they don’t deserve! They may even be doing more harm than good.
Blog Post

Antioxidant vitamins for eye health? Research evidence provides clarity

Cataracts and macular degeneration commonly develop as we age. Will taking antioxidant vitamins help prevent these vision problems?

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