December 18, 2025

6 minutes

First Questions to Consider Asking Your Doctor When Experiencing Vision Loss

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

a doctor speaking with a woman at a table

Have you or a loved one been experiencing vision loss? Recognizing that your vision is changing may be scary. A great way to gain clarity on what is going on and plan your next steps is to talk to your doctor. They can explain available treatments and recommend lifestyle changes to help preserve your vision.

Unsure of what to ask? Here are 11 questions to bring with you to your next eye doctor appointment.

1. What part of the eye is affected?

Your changing vision could be due to different areas of the eye, from the front structures that focus light to the back structures that transmit visual information to the brain. “Knowing which part is affected will help determine whether the patient needs to see a certain kind of specialist, e.g., glaucoma specialist, retina specialist, neuro-ophthalmologist, etc.,” says Sophia Wong, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist with Beacon Retina.

2. How urgent is the condition?

“Some blinding conditions such as retinal detachment can require emergency surgery, while other conditions like open angle glaucoma are slower, insidious diseases that can be evaluated at a scheduled appointment later on,” explains Wong. This, she says, is important when considering logistical factors such as needing insurance referral paperwork, arranging transportation and post-surgery support from family members.

3. What are the causes of the disease—and can it be improved with diet or lifestyle modifications?

Some diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy or ocular ischemia (poor blood flow to the eye), are related to systemic conditions like high blood sugars, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. “When patients understand that there is a link between their eye disease and their overall health, they can work with their primary care physician to improve their risk factors and help prevent further eye damage,” says Wong. Other conditions like age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma can be hereditary, so Wong says that patients may want to inform their family members so they can also undergo screening.

4. How can I tell if my vision changes are just part of normal aging — or something more serious?”

Vision changes occur with age. But cloudy vision or difficulty seeing in dim light may be a sign of cataracts, says Gregg Feinerman MD, owner and medical director at Feinerman Vision. Other sudden vision changes like flashes of light or a significant increase in floaters may mean macular degeneration or a problem with the retina, he says. “In all cases, the best procedure is to consult a physician so that there will be no further complications.”

5. What are the most common eye conditions that cause blurry or cloudy vision in older adults?

Cataracts are the most common cause of cloudy vision due to the lens in the eye becoming cloudy, which impairs clarity. “It is also common to have a dry eye, which also is common as we age because of less tear production,” says Feinerman. Another major cause of vision loss in older adults, which calls for a need for early detection, adds Feinerman, is macular degeneration, a progressive condition that affects central vision. Once it starts, there’s no treatment to reverse it, but lifetime modifications and treatments can help to slow down the progression.

6. What happens if the vision gets worse?

“Vision loss can be scary, and it's important for patients to understand that there are treatments (either curative or rehabilitative) to prevent further vision loss and help with maintaining their current level of functioning,” says Wong. Patients should also be familiar with the warning signs to look out for that could indicate an acute worsening of their condition and that would trigger an urgent visit to the ophthalmologist. If any of the following occur, call your eye doctor immediately: sudden eye pain or headache in glaucoma; or dark curtain or shadow in the vision in retinal detachment.

7. How can I protect my vision in the future?

This relates back to the cause of the disease. “For example, patients with diabetic retinopathy should control the blood sugars and hemoglobin A1c levels to prevent further vision damage,” says Wong. In the case of age-related macular degeneration, research shows that avoiding smoking, taking eye vitamins (AREDS formula) and eating a Mediterranean diet can help lower the risk of further deterioration and vision loss.

For general eye health, wear sunglasses that protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, follow a diet rich in nutrients and low in processed foods and get your eyes checked regularly, says Feinerman. He also recommends drinking plenty of fluids and maintaining a healthy body weight to help reduce the chance of developing diseases like diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration. “Regular exercise will help keep you strong, but it also aids the circulation of the blood to the eyes, helping to preserve your eyesight in the long term,” he says.

8. Will any of my medications affect my eyesight?

“Some drugs, such as cortisone type drugs, may encourage some individuals to develop cataract or glaucoma, while others used in the treatment of high blood pressure or diabetes may cause certain effects on the vision,” says Feinerman. Antihistamines and anti-depressants may also lead to symptoms of dry eyes, which can cause blurry vision or irritation. “Periodic examinations of the eyes should be made in order to determine the possibility of drug effect on the vision, especially in those who take a number of different drugs in order to be able to determine the complications in the vision,” says Feinerman. Make sure to keep a running list of any medications you are taking and keep your eye doctor up to date on any additions or changes.

9. How often should I get my eyes checked now that my vision is changing?

Although regular eye exams are especially important for those over the age of 65, most people should consider getting a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years. Eye exams are even important for those who have 20/20 vision. “Early identification of conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration results in better outcomes,” says Feinerman. When eye examinations are performed in a timely manner, complications may be avoided and quality of life maintained, especially as eyesight changes. Ask your doctor for their personal recommendation of how often you should get your vision screened and make sure to keep up with your appointments.

10. How can I make my home safer and easier to navigate as my vision changes?

“Increasing the light levels in public and circulation areas and using strong contrast provide less shadow and greatly improve the visibility of objects,” says Feinerman. He also suggests reducing clutter to avoid tripping. “The installation of motion detectors will also assure that lighting units will turn on automatically, further reducing the likelihood of stumbling in dim light,” he adds. It can also be helpful to use textured floor coverings or carpet with contrasting colors to assist in differentiating transitory areas between rooms or in identifying obstacles.

11. Are there magnifiers, apps or low vision aids that can help me read, cook or do hobbies I love?

You can purchase handheld and magnifying devices to help assist you with reading. “Text reading applications are available for smart phones as well as applications to identify various objects, kitchen aids are available to make some kitchen tasks easier,” says Feinerman. There also are smart glasses that have magnification and text-to-speech built into them, which can give a more advanced solution for reading and navigating activities. And as technology continues to advance, there will be even more of these devices on the market with the goal of helping people with reduced vision to continue to enjoy doing things that they love.

_{The above content is shared for educational and informational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before beginning any diet, exercise, or fitness program, taking any additional or discontinuing any existing medications, or acting on any content on this website, especially if you have a medical condition. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site.}

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