Seeing Purple Spots in Vision

With over 25% of adults over the age of 71 in the US experiencing some form of vision impairment, struggling with our eyesight is one of the most common challenges we face as we age. That’s why being able to recognize the signs of vision decline early is key for helping the elderly maintain their independence. If your senior is complaining about seeing purple spots, it could be the sign of something serious.

In this article, we’ll go over some of the potential causes of purple spots in vision, and other symptoms you can look out for to make sure your senior’s eyes are staying healthy. Remember, early detection can often be the difference between recovery and permanent deterioration, so if you’re concerned about your loved one’s vision, see their eye doctor immediately.

Why am I seeing Purple in my vision?

While a little distortion of our vision can be normal under certain circumstances, in others, it may be a sign of a more serious issue. Below are a few of the most common causes of seeing purple spots in vision.

Afterimage

An afterimage is an optical illusion that occurs when the cones of your eyes are fatigued from looking at one color for too long. If your senior is complaining about a purple spot in the eye after looking at bright sources of light like the headlights of a car or the sun on a bright day, they may be experiencing an afterimage. Because purple is on the opposite end of the color spectrum to these sources of yellow light, staring at a light for too long will result in what appears to be a small purple dot in the eye.

Floaters

One of the most common types of visual distortion, “floaters” describe any abnormal spots that you can see moving in your vision. Many people are born with or develop floaters that are nearly transparent, and are often described as being “worm-like” in appearance. However, in some cases, patients may experience them as moving spots. Floaters are a natural part of the aging process, and on their own, they aren’t a cause for concern. However, a sudden increase in floaters should be followed by a trip to your eye doctor, as they are often a symptom of another condition.

Migraine Aura

Migraine auras are sensory disturbances that often occur before experiencing a migraine. The most common type is known as a “Visual Aura” which results in temporary changes to your vision — including brightly colored spots. According to Cleveland Clinic, though only 25% to 30% of migraine sufferers experience migraine auras, 90% to 99% of the patients who do experience them will develop a visual aura. So, if your senior has a history of migraines, it’s possible purple spots in their vision may just be a new symptom.

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Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Vitreous is a thick gel that exists in the middle of our eyes. As we age, this gel liquifies in a process known as “Posterior Vitreous Detachment” whose side effects include the aforementioned floaters, as well as flashes of color. PVD is a natural part of aging and symptoms will generally become less noticeable over time on their own. However, a retina exam is still recommended to ensure there are no complications, because more serious issues like retinal tears or retinal detachment can occur in rare cases.

While this is far from a comprehensive list on why you might see purple spots, it should help you and your senior’s medical team eliminate some of the usual suspects as you search for a solution. To ensure your loved one’s eyes stay healthy, make sure you head to the eye doctor at the first sign of a change in vision.

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