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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Changes in Vision - Vision Changes

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Changes in vision can range from mild to severe, and may be lasting or only temporary. For example, a person may become completely blind or may have poor vision only under certain conditions.

What is going on in the body?

Common vision changes can include - but are not limited to:

blurry vision

double vision

cloudy vision

Vision changes can be caused by anything from normal aging to life-threatening conditions. The exact changes in the body will depend on the specific cause and type of vision change.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

The possible causes of vision changes include:

refractive errors, such as being nearsighted, farsighted or having presbyopia. Presbyopia is when a person has a hard time seeing things up close, due to age-related changes in the eye. This condition affects most people over age 50. It's the reason older people often need bifocals or reading glasses.

infections of the eye, such as conjunctivitis or keratitis

cataracts, a common condition in older adults caused by changes in the lens of the eye

glaucoma, a condition caused by increased pressure within the eye

damage or inflammation of the nerves of the eye

damage to the vision areas of the brain, due to a stroke or brain tumor

damage to the retina, the part of the eye that is similar to the film inside a camera. The retina can be damaged in diabetes, macular degeneration, or retinal detachment.

trauma, or injury, to the eye

strabismus, sometimes known as lazy eye, in which the eyes don't line up properly

temporal arteritis, an inflammation of the arteries that supply blood to the eye

vitamin A deficiency

medicines, such as the heart medicine digitalis, or the antibiotic ethambutol

Other causes of vision changes are possible. Sometimes, no cause can be found.

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