When to seek medical advice

Get emergency medical care if you have sudden changes in vision or an injury to your eye. Specific factors that may accompany urgent vision-related medical conditions include sudden onset of:

  • Severe eye pain or irritation
  • Vision loss or double vision
  • Eye floaters, flashes of light or halos around lights
  • Severe headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
  • Confusion, dizziness or trouble talking

See a specialist in vision problems (optometrist or ophthalmologist) if you experience any vision problems that impair your ability to read or write comfortably, drive safely, or participate in everyday activities.

Eye problems in adults

Find possible causes of vision problems based on specific factors. Check one or more factors on this page that apply to your symptom.

Problem is
Problem affects
Vision improves somewhat with
Onset is
Duration is
Accompanied by