Blurred Vision

Blurred vision is a condition associated with decreased sharpness of vision, resulting in difficulty seeing fine details. It may be unilateral (one eye) or bilateral (both eyes).

What are the symptoms of blurred vision?

Blurred vision may be an indication of an underlying eye condition such as short sightedness, long sightedness, glaucoma (damaged optic nerve), cataract (cloudy eye lens), retinal/macular problems and less common causes related to corneal disease, retinal disease, or diseases outside the eye such as migraine (recurrent moderate to severe headaches), stroke, or other central nervous system disease. Blurred vision may also result from wearing damaged or dirty contact lenses or not wearing prescription eye glasses. Some medications such as antidepressants, oral contraceptives and heart medications may increase the risk of blurred vision. Symptoms associated with blurred vision include sensitivity to light, eye pain, dry eyes, poor night vision, itchy eyes, red spots in the eyes, and excessive tear production.

How is blurred vision diagnosed?

This condition can be diagnosed with the help of the following tests:

• Slit-lamp examination: In this test, different parts of your eyes are examined to check for proper eye function using different intensities of light and magnification.
• Refraction test: This test is used to measure the accuracy of your vision or the glasses/lens you are using. Your doctor asks you to read a chart and switches lenses of different strengths to check your visual acuity.
• Tonometry: In this procedure, your eye pressure is checked with the help of an instrument called a tonometer. Your eyes will be numbed with anaesthetic eye drops and fluorescein is instilled to help your doctor determine your eye pressure.

What is the recommended treatment?

Treatment for blurred vision depends on the cause and severity of the condition.