SEEING BLACK SPOTS IN VISION
The appearance of black spots or dark areas in the visual field is one of the symptoms that most worries patients when they suffer from this disease. However, not all spots have the same meaning. The key to differentiating them lies essentially in determining the location of the spots within the field of vision and whether they are moving or stationary spots.
The appearance of dark spots in the visual field (scotoma) is a symptom that occurs in a variety of vision and non-vision related medical conditions. For patients, this is often a very alarming finding and may portend a serious condition that can lead to irreversible and debilitating vision loss, so it is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
BLACK SPOTS IN VISION AND HEADACHE
Scotomas are associated with a variety of diseases and the differential diagnosis depends, among other things, on the location of the scotoma.
- If you see a spot in the center: Therefore, when a scotoma occurs in the center of the visual field, a pathology of the retina is suspected, especially of the macula and can be macular hole and macular edema or the most common is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), This is a very common and potentially serious condition, so if detected and treated early, patients can maintain relatively good vision.
- If you see a spot in the periphery: If a patient has peripheral scotoma, he or she probably has optic neuropathy (neuropathy) of inflammatory or vascular origin, and may even have early signs of glaucoma. Glaucoma is A disease that leads to progressive loss of optic nerve fibers and is usually caused by an increase in elevated intraocular pressure and causes progressive symptoms.
- Visual scotomas are associated with numerous medical conditions and conditions, the most common of which are: ocular migraine In some cases, migraines may manifest as temporary dark spots called bright spots.
WHAT ARE THE ASSOCIATED SYMPTOMS OF BLACK SPOTS IN VISION?
When a scotoma (black spot in the center or in the periphery vision) occurs, it causes a variety of symptoms depending on the type of scotoma and the degree of involvement. They are very different, but the most common are:
- A temporary blind spot that appears in your vision for minutes or hours and gradually disappears.
- Difficulty finding and focusing on objects. Difficulty locating yourself in space. Tripping or bumping into something while walking.
- Tunnel vision.
- Difficulty with visual activities.
- Poor night vision.
WHAT CAUSES BLACK SPOTS ?
- Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels of the retina. Changes or damage to these structures can cause vision loss. It usually affects both eyes.
- Macular edema This is an accumulation of fluid in the macular area, which causes swelling and affects central vision (in the form of decreased visual acuity, distortion or central scotoma).
- Retinal detachment This occurs when the retina tears and fluid from the eye gets between the layers of the retina, causing it to detach. When the retina detaches, vision in the area becomes blurred or disappears, forming a scotoma.
- Vascular diseases: The most common include diabetic retinopathy, occlusion of retinal veins and arteries, and telangiectasias. These are diseases that are closely associated with risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular problems, cholesterol and obesity. The scotomas that can be created vary widely, and their size and location also vary.
- Optic neuritis This is an inflammation of the optic nerve that damages the optic nerve fibers. Damage to the optic nerve fibers results in temporary or lifelong visual field loss. In the worst case, it can result in total blindness.
- brain injury If there is a brain injury at the level of the visual pathway (such as a tumor or stroke) and the visual pathway is affected, changes in the visual field may occur. Depending on the location, one or both eyes may be affected.
FLOATERS IN VISION
Myodesopsia (or floaters in vision ) is very common and most people learn to ignore its presence. They are usually seen most clearly when looking at a uniformly illuminated surface in white colors. they usually move with eye movements and seem to disappear when we try to look directly at them. They do not usually follow the eye movement exactly.
Note the difference between floaters that move when we try to see them and spots that are stable.
Floaters correspond to condensations that form in the transparent gelatinous fluid that fills the eyeball, called vitreous humor, and which cast their shadow on the retina when light passes through it.If the number of floaters increases rapidly or a shadow suddenly appears in one part of your field of vision or you see a flash of light loss of side vision, then they are no longer floaters and should be referred to a doctor.
CAN STRESS CAUSE BLACK SPOTS?
We all know that stress is a common ailment that we experience in our daily lives, whether it is due to personal or professional circumstances or whether it is in our inherent nature. The eyes are no exception, although they may already be affecting our health in the form of reduced resistance to disease. Unfortunately, for people suffering from stress or anxiety, stress can cause blurred vision and the accompanying dizziness. What’s more, we are unaware that it is a manifestation of the anxiety or illness we are suffering from, often causing even more discomfort.
Blurred vision is a sign of poor vision. Although vision loss is usually a temporary symptom, it is very important to consult an ophthalmologist if you suffer from vision loss. This is because it can also be a warning sign of other types of problems (in this case, not as serious) (not only stress-related, but also other medical conditions). It is also normal to experience other symptoms, such as :
- Heaviness of the eyelids,
- Irritation of the eyes or small black
- Black spots that appear and disappear in the vision.
- Eye twitching
- Tics usually appear as slight uncontrollable twitching of the upper eyelids.
In most cases, this condition is mainly due to lack of sleep, which is one of the most common symptoms of stress and anxiety.
HOW TO REDUCE STRESS ?
Reduce visual stress The best way to avoid these symptoms and restore normal vision is to reduce stress levels. This allows you to fully restore your body’s performance in all aspects. To achieve this you should try to get the necessary rest, eat enough healthy food and engage in physical activity. Of course, in the latter case, you should do so using appropriate eye measures. For example, if you practice outdoor sports, your sunglasses (or sports glasses) should have sun filters to prevent visual stress.
BLACK SPOTS IN VISION DURING PREGNANCY
Increased blood pressure during pregnancy can also cause blurred vision. In addition, it can increase the perception of black specks in vision Even if eyestrain is normal, it needs to be managed.
It is important to remember that if you have any doubts about the health of your eyes, it is necessary to see an eye care professional. This is the right point of contact to perform tests and assess the best treatment for each case.
