How can I tell if I'm at risk for a vision problem or eye disease?

Prevent Blindness offers two practical starting points on its website: a "What's Your Risk of a Vision Problem?" page and a "Signs of Eye Disease and Vision Problems in Adults" page. Use the first to review risk factors you may not notice day to day, and the second to check whether symptoms you're experiencing are warning signs. If you find matching symptoms—especially sudden changes—the site's guidance points toward scheduling a professional eye exam rather than waiting. The site also includes a "Find an Eye Doctor" tool and a "How Often Should I Have an Eye Exam?" page to help you act on what you find.

Start with the risk self-check

The "What's Your Risk of a Vision Problem?" page is the site's entry point for assessing personal risk. It is a general educational resource, not a diagnostic test. Work through it with your own history in mind, including:

• Age and family history — risk rises with age, and conditions such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration often run in families.
• Health conditions — the site's resource list links diabetes directly to eye disease ("Diabetes and Your Eyes"), and covers glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration as separate topics.
• Medications and eye drops — there is dedicated guidance on "How to Take Eye Drop Medications," useful if you already manage a condition.
• Everyday exposures — digital device use, blue light, UV exposure, and sports or work hazards each have their own pages.

The site also maintains a "Common Eye Myths" page, which is worth reading before you conclude you're low-risk based on something you've heard.

Check the adult warning signs

The "Signs of Eye Disease and Vision Problems in Adults" page lists symptoms to watch for. Rather than memorizing a list, treat any of the following as a reason to get examined:

• Blurred or double vision, or difficulty seeing at night
• Loss of side (peripheral) vision
• Flashes of light, new floaters, or a curtain-like shadow
• Eye pain, redness, or persistent irritation
• Difficulty reading or recognizing faces at usual distances

The site frames these as signs of possible disease, not a diagnosis. Some conditions, such as glaucoma, can progress without obvious symptoms—which is why the site pairs symptom awareness with routine exams.

Know when to book an exam promptly

The site separates routine care from urgent situations. For routine timing, see "How Often Should I Have an Eye Exam?" For anything sudden—a new shadow in your vision, a sudden loss of sight, or an eye injury—the site's "First Aid for Eye Emergencies" page and its injury-prevention resources are the relevant references, and you should seek professional care immediately rather than relying on a website.

For non-urgent concerns, the "Find an Eye Doctor" tool and "Getting Ready for My Eye Doctor Appointment" page help you prepare. If cost is a barrier, the site covers "Understanding Insurance Benefits for Eye Care," "Accessing Vision Care Without Coverage," Medicare and Medicaid options, and a "Vision Care Financial Assistance Information" page.

A quick decision guide

The site also offers a free eNews subscription if you want ongoing updates, but the risk and symptom pages are the fastest way to get a useful answer today.