Blurred Vision: Causes and Treatment
Blurred vision is the inability to see fine details caused by eye abnormalities or certain medications. It can occur in one or both eyes and may signal an underlying condition. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as headaches, sensitivity to light, or eye irritation.
Causes of Blurred Vision
Blurred vision can be a symptom of other conditions. If you experience this, it is important to seek immediate assessment and treatment. Blurred vision requires immediate assessment and treatment.
Detached Retina
- Retina pulls away from the eye, causing vision loss.
- Symptoms include flashing lights, black spots, and blurred vision.
- Emergency treatment needed to prevent permanent vision loss.
Stroke in the Brain
- Brain stroke can affect vision, causing blurred or lost vision in both eyes.
- Other stroke symptoms like body weakness or speech problems may occur.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
- Temporary stroke with blurred vision as one symptom.
- Lasts fewer than 24 hours.
Wet Macular Degeneration
- Abnormal vessel leakage into the macula causes blurred central vision.
- Requires immediate treatment due to rapid progression.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
- Blocked eye drainage leads to pressure buildup.
- Causes redness, pain, and nausea.
- Emergency treatment involves eye drops and possibly a laser procedure.
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Get A Second OpinionSymptoms of Blurred Vision
Eye Fatigue
- Prolonged focus without breaks can tire eyes
- Common during electronic device use, reading, or driving, especially at night or in bad weather.
Conjunctivitis
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye):.
- Infection of the eye's outer wall.
- Typically caused by a virus, but bacteria or allergies can also be the cause.
Blurred Vision After Conjunctivitis
- Residual Inflammation: The inflammation from conjunctivitis can temporarily affect vision.
- Discharge or Debris: Leftover discharge or mucus can cause blurred vision.
- Secondary Infection: An additional eye infection might cause vision issues.
- Dryness or Irritation: Post-infection dryness or irritation can impact clarity.
- Swelling: Swelling of the conjunctiva or surrounding tissues may affect vision
Corneal Abrasion
- Injury to the clear coating in your eye (cornea).
- Symptoms include blurred vision, itchy eyes and sensation of foreign objects in the eye.
High Blood Sugar
- Very high blood sugar
- Causes swelling of the eye lens, which leads to blurred vision.
Hyphema
- Dark red blood in the front of the eyeball
- Result of bleeding after an eye injury.
- Increased pressure may lead to pain.
Iritis
- Iris inflammation due to autoimmune reaction or infection.
- Can cause pain and sensitivity to light (photophobia).
Keratitis
- Cornea inflammation, usually from infection.
- Risk increases with prolonged contact lens wear or dirty lenses.
Macular Hole
- Tear in the macula, leading to blurred vision.
- Typically affects only one eye.
Migraine with Aura
- Aura preceding migraine can cause blurred vision.
- It may include visual disturbances without head pain.
Optic Neuritis
- Inflammation of the optic nerve, often autoimmune or linked to multiple sclerosis.
- Usually affects one eye.
Temporal Arteritis
- Inflammation of medium-sized arteries near temples.
- Causes throbbing headaches and blurred vision.
Uveitis
- Inflammation of uvea due to infection or autoimmune reaction.
- Results in pain and inflammation within the eye.
Sudden Blurred Vision in Both Eyes
Sudden blurred vision in both eyes can be alarming, and it’s important to recognize the signs of blurred vision and seek help if needed. Here are some common symptoms that might accompany sudden blurred vision:
- Loss of Sharpness: Everything may appear hazy or unclear, and you might find it hard to focus on objects, even close ones.
- Difficulty Seeing at Night: Blurred vision may become more noticeable in low-light conditions, making it hard to see clearly at night.
- Double Vision: Sometimes, blurred vision can lead to seeing double, where two images of the same object appear.
- Eye Fatigue: Your eyes may feel tired, strained, or heavy as you try to focus.
- Sensitivity to Light: Bright lights may become uncomfortable, or glare from headlights or screens may be more intense.
- Headache or Dizziness: Blurred vision can sometimes be accompanied by headaches or dizziness, especially if the issue is related to eye strain or underlying conditions.
- Floaters or Shadows: You might notice spots, cobwebs, or dark shadows in your field of vision.
Sudden blurred vision in both eyes could be a sign of a serious condition, such as a stroke, diabetes, or a retinal problem. If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Reasons for Blurred Vision
- Dry Eyes: Lack of sufficient lubrication in the eyes can cause irritation and blurred vision.
- Refractive Errors: Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia
- Eye Infections: Conditions such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) can cause blurry vision due to inflammation and discharge.
- Cataracts: Clouding of the lens inside the eye, leading to decreased vision clarity.
- Glaucoma: Increased pressure in the eye that can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Damage to the retina due to diabetes, affecting the vision eye.
- Macular Degeneration: A condition that affects the central part of the retina (macula), leading to loss of central vision.
Blurred Vision Diagnosis
An ENT specialist or general physician will diagnose the reasons for your blurred vision by looking at symptoms.
The physician may also ask about your medical history and a family history of eye conditions. Here are a few examples of questions they may ask:
- When did you first notice the blurred vision?
- What makes blurred vision worse or better?
Lists of Tests Done To Diagnosis of Blurred Vision
Eye Tests
Your physician may then want to examine your eyes. They can test your vision by asking you to read an eye chart. They may also perform other eye tests, such as:
- Ophthalmoscopy
- Refraction test
- Slit-lamp examination,
- Tonometry, which measures intraocular pressure
Blood Tests
Your doctor may also perform blood tests. Blood tests can be used to help them determine if bacteria are present in the blood. They may also use tests to get your white blood cell count (WBC) if they suspect there might be an infection.
Blurred Vision Treatment
The treatment will depend on your sight condition. Here is the list of conditions and how their blurred vision symptoms are treated.
Eye Conditions and Treatments
- Detached or Torn Retina: Emergency surgical repair needed to prevent vision loss.
- Transient Ischemic Attack: Symptoms resolve within 24 hours; blood thinners may be prescribed.
- Wet Macular Degeneration: Injections or laser treatment to improve vision; devices for enhancement.
- Eye Strain: Always rest your eyes regularly to avoid eye problems.
- Corneal Abrasion: Usually heals naturally; antibiotics may prevent infection.
- Medicines for blurred vision: It may include eye drops for dryness or allergies and prescription medications for conditions like glaucoma or infections. Always consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
When to Visit a Doctor?
You should call or see the local emergency services and get immediate medical attention if your blurred vision suddenly appears and you experience any of these symptoms:
You should consult the physician as soon as possible if:
- Severe headache
- Difficulty speaking
- Loss of muscular control on either side of the body
- Falling face
- Difficulty seeing
- These signs are similar to those of stroke.
- Other symptoms that may require immediate attention include severe eye pain or sudden vision loss.
- Slow-onset vision or other blurred vision symptoms.
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Book an AppointmentHome Remedies for Blurred Vision
Practice eye exercises for blurred vision to reduce strain and improve focus. Maintain a diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E to support healthy vision.
Eye Exercises
Visual blurring is common with aging.
- Avoid eye exercises before blurred vision as it may indicate serious issues. Simple exercises can maintain optimal vision:
- Warm eyes by rubbing hands and placing them over eyes.
- Roll eyes clockwise and counterclockwise with closed eyelids.
- Focusing exercises like pen push-ups can improve vision naturally.
Rest, Repair, and Recovery
- Eyes need frequent rest for optimal vision.
- Ensure sufficient sleep of about eight hours nightly for eye repair and recovery.
- Take hourly breaks if working with screens, resting eyes for 10 minutes every 50 minutes.
- For tired eyes, try cold cucumber slices on eyelids for soothing relief.
Avoid Triggers
- Anxiety, stress, migraines, and health issues are some common triggers for blurred vision.
- Deep sleep for about 8 hours daily allows your eyes to rest, repair, and recover.
- Try to keep track of your pain and migraines.
- To manage stress, aromatherapy. Joining support groups or talking to a psychotherapist or anxiety coach can also be helpful.
