Blurred vision is the lack of clear vision that does not let you see things clearly and managing daily activities becomes difficult. Blurred vision can be due to various reasons and the use of lenses can help improve vision. You may experience blurred vision either in one eye or both eyes, based on its cause. In some cases, it can also be due to some underlying conditions.
How Do I Know If I Have Blurred Vision?
The following are some of the most common signs of blurred vision:
- Sensitivity to light
- Headache and migraine
- Eye pain
- Spots in front of the eyes
- Double vision
- Soreness of eyes
- Dryness of eyes
- Fatigue
- Eye strain
- Watery discharge from the eyes
- Dizziness
- Red and irritated eyes
- Itchiness in the eyes
If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, consider visiting an eye specialist.
What Are the Causes of Blurred Vision?
There can be several reasons for blurred vision and the most common causes are explained here:
- Astigmatism: It is the most common cause of blurred vision and occurs due to the abnormal shape of the cornea or lens in the eye. This condition obstructs the light from focusing on the retina and thereby causes blurred vision.
- Myopia: Myopia is a farsighted condition where the far objects cannot be seen clearly but near objects can be seen clearly. People with this condition face difficulty while watching tv and driving.
- Presbyopia: It occurs at old age and the near objects look blurry where as far objects are clearly visible.
- Cataract: If the eye lens is clouded with a cataract, the vision becomes blur as the light cannot focus on the retina.
- Macular degeneration: Macula is at the centre of the retina and is responsible for clear vision in the centre. Macular degeneration affects the macula and if it becomes severe, it causes blurry vision.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is an asymptomatic condition; it causes blurred vision and sometimes leads to permanent loss of vision.
- Iritis: It is the inflammation of the iris and is also known as acute anterior uveitis. It affects the front part of the eye and causes blurred vision.
- Detached retina: This is a condition where the retina is pulled away from the back of the eye and the blood supply also gets reduced. The detached retina shows symptoms such as blurred vision, flash lights, sudden loss of vision, etc.
- Hyphema: Hyphema is the accumulation of red blood in the anterior chamber of the eye. This can occur after an eye injury due to bleeding in the eye. People with this condition experience reduced vision or sudden vision loss.
- Diabetes mellitus: Diabetes mellitus is a condition that affects the usage of blood sugar by the body. Studies have shown that people with this condition may have blurred vision.
- Medications: The use of certain medications can also cause blurred vision. For example, the drugs used for erectile dysfunction can cause blurred vision.
Blurred vision may also indicate some underlying issues that need to be addressed immediately. The conditions include:
- Stroke
- Brain tumour
- Optic neuritis
- Eye trauma
- Transient ischemic attack
Diagnosis and Treatment for Blurred Vision
To diagnose blurred vision, the doctor conducts a physical exam to know your signs and to determine the cause. The doctor may also ask you about your medical history and your family’s medical history. The doctor may also conduct different eye tests and blood tests to know the cause of the blurred vision.
The treatment for blurred vision is based on its cause. The treatment options include medications, eye drops, and Laser Eye Surgery.
When Should I Visit a Doctor for Blurred Vision?
If you experience sudden blurry vision along with other signs such as headache, facial drooping, trouble while talking, etc, you should immediately visit your doctor. Other signs for immediate attention include severe eye pain, squint eye and weakness in legs, or arms muscles.
Have Signs of Blurred Vision? Visit Think Eye Today
Think Eye is one of the Best Eye Hospitals in Hyderabad, established by two experienced ophthalmologists. They have a combined experience of 35 years and have solved more than 35000 eye problems. They focus on providing the best and most advanced eye care at an affordable cost. If you or your loved one have any signs of blurred vision, call us to stop the condition from progressing.
