Vision Changes Following Illness: Seeking Clarity
Details: age: 18, turning 19 in August height: 5'6 weight: I'm not quite sure to be honest female I neither smoke nor drink, but I do take sertraline and contraceptives. Earlier this year in January, I contracted a cold, and shortly after recuperating, I believe I got hit with norovirus. The experience involved a lot of vomiting and gastrointestinal distress—definitely not pleasant. Since that time, I have noticed some concerning changes to my vision. While I have always experienced eye floaters, they have become significantly more pronounced lately. Additionally, I am dealing with afterimages, which are particularly bothersome as they appear even when I’m not gazing at any bright surfaces. Occasionally, I also see brief flashes of light, resembling tiny, colorful stars. However, these flashes are less frequent compared to the other visual disturbances. What could be causing these symptoms? I’m aware that I need to update my glasses soon, so perhaps that could be a contributing factor. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
Answers (1)
6/18/2025, 2:30:45 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing some concerning changes in your vision following significant illness, which can understandably be worrisome. The symptoms you've described—pronounced eye floaters, afterimages, and occasional flashes of light—can be related to several factors, including changes in your ocular health, potential effects of medications, or even conditions related to your recent illnesses.
Explanation:
- Eye Floaters: These are usually harmless but can be more noticeable when your vision changes or if the eye's gel-like substance (vitreous) begins to decline with age or irritation.
- Afterimages: Seeing afterimages often relates to the way your eyes adjust to light conditions and can sometimes be linked to visual fatigue or strain.
- Flashes of Light: These can sometimes signify a change in the eye, particularly in the retina, which might require more investigation.
Given that you've experienced gastrointestinal distress and vomiting, it's also important to remember that dehydration can affect your body and your eyes, potentially making visual disturbances more pronounced.
Next Steps:
- Hydration: Ensure you're drinking enough water daily, especially if you've had recent digestive issues. Dehydration can affect eye health.
- Update Your Glasses: Since you mentioned needing new glasses, do schedule an eye exam as soon as you can. Changes in your prescription or proper eye care may help with clarity and reduce some symptoms.
- Rest Your Eyes: If you're spending a lot of time on screens or focusing intently, give your eyes breaks regularly. Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes or worsening in your symptoms over the next few weeks. If you notice new symptoms or if the current ones worsen, it would be essential to seek an eye care professional.
Remember, while many of these can be benign, it's always better to get a professional opinion, especially with vision-related issues. Take care, and please feel free to reach out if you have further questions!
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