Blurred vision: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Blurred vision | |||
| image = [[File:EB1911_Vision_-_Spherical_Aberration.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = Spherical aberration can cause blurred vision. | |||
| field = [[Ophthalmology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Unclear vision]], [[difficulty focusing]], [[double vision]] | |||
| complications = [[Falls]], [[accidents]], [[headaches]] | |||
| onset = Can be sudden or gradual | |||
| duration = Varies depending on cause | |||
| causes = [[Refractive errors]], [[cataracts]], [[glaucoma]], [[macular degeneration]], [[diabetic retinopathy]], [[eye infections]], [[corneal abrasions]] | |||
| risks = [[Age]], [[diabetes]], [[eye strain]], [[exposure to bright light]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Eye examination]], [[visual acuity test]], [[slit-lamp examination]] | |||
| differential = [[Migraine]], [[stroke]], [[multiple sclerosis]] | |||
| prevention = [[Regular eye exams]], [[protective eyewear]], [[managing chronic conditions]] | |||
| treatment = [[Corrective lenses]], [[surgery]], [[medication]] | |||
| medication = [[Antibiotics]] for infections, [[anti-inflammatory drugs]] | |||
| prognosis = Depends on underlying cause | |||
| frequency = Common | |||
| deaths = Rarely directly causes death | |||
}} | |||
'''Blurred vision''' is a lack of sharpness in vision, resulting in the inability to see fine details. It can be a symptom of various conditions, both minor and severe, and can affect one or both eyes. | '''Blurred vision''' is a lack of sharpness in vision, resulting in the inability to see fine details. It can be a symptom of various conditions, both minor and severe, and can affect one or both eyes. | ||
== Definition == | == Definition == | ||
Blurred vision is characterized by the loss of visual acuity, making objects appear out of focus and hazy. It differs from [[double vision]], where two distinct images of a single object are seen, and [[distorted vision]], where objects may look warped or misshapen. | Blurred vision is characterized by the loss of visual acuity, making objects appear out of focus and hazy. It differs from [[double vision]], where two distinct images of a single object are seen, and [[distorted vision]], where objects may look warped or misshapen. | ||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
Blurred vision can be a result of various factors, including: | Blurred vision can be a result of various factors, including: | ||
* '''Refractive Errors''': These are the most common causes and include [[myopia]] (nearsightedness), [[hyperopia]] (farsightedness), [[astigmatism]], and [[presbyopia]] (age-related focus dysfunction). | * '''Refractive Errors''': These are the most common causes and include [[myopia]] (nearsightedness), [[hyperopia]] (farsightedness), [[astigmatism]], and [[presbyopia]] (age-related focus dysfunction). | ||
* '''Eye Conditions''': Such as [[cataracts]], [[glaucoma]], [[macular degeneration]], and retinal detachment. | * '''Eye Conditions''': Such as [[cataracts]], [[glaucoma]], [[macular degeneration]], and retinal detachment. | ||
| Line 15: | Line 32: | ||
* '''Systemic Diseases''': [[Diabetes]], [[hypertension]], and [[migraine]] can have visual symptoms including blurriness. | * '''Systemic Diseases''': [[Diabetes]], [[hypertension]], and [[migraine]] can have visual symptoms including blurriness. | ||
* '''Pregnancy''': Hormonal changes during pregnancy can alter the shape and thickness of the cornea, leading to temporary blurred vision. | * '''Pregnancy''': Hormonal changes during pregnancy can alter the shape and thickness of the cornea, leading to temporary blurred vision. | ||
== Symptoms and Complications == | == Symptoms and Complications == | ||
Blurred vision may be accompanied by other symptoms depending on its cause. These might include: | Blurred vision may be accompanied by other symptoms depending on its cause. These might include: | ||
* Eye pain or discomfort | * Eye pain or discomfort | ||
* Redness or discharge | * Redness or discharge | ||
| Line 24: | Line 39: | ||
* Headaches | * Headaches | ||
* Nausea | * Nausea | ||
Complications can arise if the underlying cause is not addressed. For instance, untreated refractive errors can lead to [[strabismus]] (crossed eyes) or [[amblyopia]] (lazy eye) in children. | Complications can arise if the underlying cause is not addressed. For instance, untreated refractive errors can lead to [[strabismus]] (crossed eyes) or [[amblyopia]] (lazy eye) in children. | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
A comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is necessary to determine the cause of blurred vision. This may involve: | A comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is necessary to determine the cause of blurred vision. This may involve: | ||
* '''Visual Acuity Test''': Using a Snellen chart to measure sharpness of vision. | * '''Visual Acuity Test''': Using a Snellen chart to measure sharpness of vision. | ||
* '''Refraction Test''': To determine the appropriate lens power needed to compensate for any refractive error. | * '''Refraction Test''': To determine the appropriate lens power needed to compensate for any refractive error. | ||
* '''Slit Lamp Examination''': To inspect the anterior segment of the eye. | * '''Slit Lamp Examination''': To inspect the anterior segment of the eye. | ||
* '''Dilated Eye Examination''': To provide a clearer view of the retina and optic nerve. | * '''Dilated Eye Examination''': To provide a clearer view of the retina and optic nerve. | ||
In cases where systemic diseases are suspected, further medical tests might be recommended. | In cases where systemic diseases are suspected, further medical tests might be recommended. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
Treatment largely depends on the identified cause of blurred vision: | Treatment largely depends on the identified cause of blurred vision: | ||
* '''Corrective Lenses''': For refractive errors. | * '''Corrective Lenses''': For refractive errors. | ||
* '''Medications''': Such as antibiotics for infections or eye drops for dry eyes. | * '''Medications''': Such as antibiotics for infections or eye drops for dry eyes. | ||
* '''Surgery''': Procedures like [[LASIK]] for refractive errors, or cataract surgery to replace a cloudy lens. | * '''Surgery''': Procedures like [[LASIK]] for refractive errors, or cataract surgery to replace a cloudy lens. | ||
* '''Managing Underlying Conditions''': For systemic diseases, adequate control and management can alleviate visual symptoms. | * '''Managing Underlying Conditions''': For systemic diseases, adequate control and management can alleviate visual symptoms. | ||
== Prevention == | == Prevention == | ||
Regular eye examinations can help detect and address potential causes of blurred vision before they become severe. Additionally, protecting the eyes from injury, using appropriate lighting, and taking breaks when doing close-up work can help in preventing blurred vision. | Regular eye examinations can help detect and address potential causes of blurred vision before they become severe. Additionally, protecting the eyes from injury, using appropriate lighting, and taking breaks when doing close-up work can help in preventing blurred vision. | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
There are many causes of blurred vision: | There are many causes of blurred vision: | ||
* Use of [[atropine]]<ref name=Rang147>{{cite book |last= Rang |first= H.P. |title=Pharmacology |publisher=Churchill Livingstone |location=Edinburgh |year=2003 |pages= |isbn= 0443071454 |oclc= |doi= |page= 147}}</ref> or other anticholinergics | * Use of [[atropine]]<ref name=Rang147>{{cite book |last= Rang |first= H.P. |title=Pharmacology |publisher=Churchill Livingstone |location=Edinburgh |year=2003 |pages= |isbn= 0443071454 |oclc= |doi= |page= 147}}</ref> or other anticholinergics | ||
* [[Presbyopia]]—Difficulty focusing on objects that are close. Common in the elderly. (Accommodation tends to decrease with age.) | |||
* [[Presbyopia]] | * [[Cataracts]]—Cloudiness over the eye's lens, causing poor night-time vision, halos around lights, and sensitivity to glare. Daytime vision is eventually affected. Common in the elderly. | ||
* [[Glaucoma]]—Increased pressure in the eye, causing poor night vision, blind spots, and loss of vision to either side. A major cause of blindness. Glaucoma can happen gradually or suddenly—if sudden, it is a medical emergency. | |||
* [[Cataracts]] | * [[Diabetic retinopathy]]—This complication of diabetes can lead to bleeding into the retina. Another common cause of blindness. | ||
* [[Macular degeneration]]—Loss of central vision, blurred vision (especially while reading), [[distorted vision]] (like seeing wavy lines), and colors appearing faded. The most common cause of blindness in people over age 60. | |||
* [[Glaucoma]] | |||
* [[Diabetic retinopathy]] | |||
* [[Macular degeneration]] | |||
* [[Eye infection]], [[Eye inflammation|inflammation]], or [[Eye injury|injury]]. | * [[Eye infection]], [[Eye inflammation|inflammation]], or [[Eye injury|injury]]. | ||
* [[Floaters]]—Tiny particles drifting across the eye. Although often brief and harmless, they may be a sign of retinal detachment. | |||
* [[Floaters]] | * [[Retinal detachment]]—Symptoms include floaters, flashes of light across your visual field, or a sensation of a shade or curtain hanging on one side of your visual field. | ||
* [[Optic neuritis]]—Inflammation of the optic nerve from infection or multiple sclerosis. You may have pain when you move your eye or touch it through the eyelid. | |||
* [[Retinal detachment]] | |||
* [[Optic neuritis]] | |||
* [[Stroke]] or [[Transient ischemic attack]] | * [[Stroke]] or [[Transient ischemic attack]] | ||
* [[Brain tumor]] | * [[Brain tumor]] | ||
* [[Toxocara]]—A parasitic roundworm that can cause blurred vision | |||
* [[Toxocara]] | |||
* [[Intraocular hemorrhage|Bleeding into the eye]] | * [[Intraocular hemorrhage|Bleeding into the eye]] | ||
* [[Temporal arteritis]]—Inflammation of an artery in the brain that supplies blood to the optic nerve. | |||
* [[Temporal arteritis]] | * [[Migraine headache]]s—Spots of light, halos, or zigzag patterns are common symptoms prior to the start of the headache. An ophthalmic migraine is when you have only visual symptoms without a headache. | ||
* [[Migraine headache]] | |||
Blurred vision may be a systemic sign of local anaesthetic toxicity | Blurred vision may be a systemic sign of local anaesthetic toxicity | ||
* Reduced blinking - Lid closure that occurs too infrequently often leads to irregularities of the tear film due to prolonged evaporation, thus resulting in disruptions in visual perception. | * Reduced blinking - Lid closure that occurs too infrequently often leads to irregularities of the tear film due to prolonged evaporation, thus resulting in disruptions in visual perception. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Double vision]] | * [[Double vision]] | ||
| Line 92: | Line 80: | ||
* [[Visual field loss]] | * [[Visual field loss]] | ||
* [[Functional visual loss]] | * [[Functional visual loss]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
[[Category:Disorders of ocular muscles, binocular movement, accommodation and refraction]] | [[Category:Disorders of ocular muscles, binocular movement, accommodation and refraction]] | ||
[[Category:Vision]] | [[Category:Vision]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:58, 5 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Blurred vision | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Unclear vision, difficulty focusing, double vision |
| Complications | Falls, accidents, headaches |
| Onset | Can be sudden or gradual |
| Duration | Varies depending on cause |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Refractive errors, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, eye infections, corneal abrasions |
| Risks | Age, diabetes, eye strain, exposure to bright light |
| Diagnosis | Eye examination, visual acuity test, slit-lamp examination |
| Differential diagnosis | Migraine, stroke, multiple sclerosis |
| Prevention | Regular eye exams, protective eyewear, managing chronic conditions |
| Treatment | Corrective lenses, surgery, medication |
| Medication | Antibiotics for infections, anti-inflammatory drugs |
| Prognosis | Depends on underlying cause |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | Rarely directly causes death |
Blurred vision is a lack of sharpness in vision, resulting in the inability to see fine details. It can be a symptom of various conditions, both minor and severe, and can affect one or both eyes.
Definition[edit]
Blurred vision is characterized by the loss of visual acuity, making objects appear out of focus and hazy. It differs from double vision, where two distinct images of a single object are seen, and distorted vision, where objects may look warped or misshapen.
Causes[edit]
Blurred vision can be a result of various factors, including:
- Refractive Errors: These are the most common causes and include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia (age-related focus dysfunction).
- Eye Conditions: Such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment.
- Eye Infections or Injuries: Conjunctivitis or corneal abrasion can lead to temporary blurred vision.
- Dry Eyes: Insufficient tear production can cause blurred vision.
- Medications: Some medications list blurred vision as a potential side effect.
- Systemic Diseases: Diabetes, hypertension, and migraine can have visual symptoms including blurriness.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can alter the shape and thickness of the cornea, leading to temporary blurred vision.
Symptoms and Complications[edit]
Blurred vision may be accompanied by other symptoms depending on its cause. These might include:
- Eye pain or discomfort
- Redness or discharge
- Sensitivity to light
- Headaches
- Nausea
Complications can arise if the underlying cause is not addressed. For instance, untreated refractive errors can lead to strabismus (crossed eyes) or amblyopia (lazy eye) in children.
Diagnosis[edit]
A comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is necessary to determine the cause of blurred vision. This may involve:
- Visual Acuity Test: Using a Snellen chart to measure sharpness of vision.
- Refraction Test: To determine the appropriate lens power needed to compensate for any refractive error.
- Slit Lamp Examination: To inspect the anterior segment of the eye.
- Dilated Eye Examination: To provide a clearer view of the retina and optic nerve.
In cases where systemic diseases are suspected, further medical tests might be recommended.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment largely depends on the identified cause of blurred vision:
- Corrective Lenses: For refractive errors.
- Medications: Such as antibiotics for infections or eye drops for dry eyes.
- Surgery: Procedures like LASIK for refractive errors, or cataract surgery to replace a cloudy lens.
- Managing Underlying Conditions: For systemic diseases, adequate control and management can alleviate visual symptoms.
Prevention[edit]
Regular eye examinations can help detect and address potential causes of blurred vision before they become severe. Additionally, protecting the eyes from injury, using appropriate lighting, and taking breaks when doing close-up work can help in preventing blurred vision.
Causes[edit]
There are many causes of blurred vision:
- Use of atropine<ref name=Rang147>H.P.,
Pharmacology, Edinburgh:Churchill Livingstone, 2003, ISBN 0443071454,</ref> or other anticholinergics
- Presbyopia—Difficulty focusing on objects that are close. Common in the elderly. (Accommodation tends to decrease with age.)
- Cataracts—Cloudiness over the eye's lens, causing poor night-time vision, halos around lights, and sensitivity to glare. Daytime vision is eventually affected. Common in the elderly.
- Glaucoma—Increased pressure in the eye, causing poor night vision, blind spots, and loss of vision to either side. A major cause of blindness. Glaucoma can happen gradually or suddenly—if sudden, it is a medical emergency.
- Diabetic retinopathy—This complication of diabetes can lead to bleeding into the retina. Another common cause of blindness.
- Macular degeneration—Loss of central vision, blurred vision (especially while reading), distorted vision (like seeing wavy lines), and colors appearing faded. The most common cause of blindness in people over age 60.
- Eye infection, inflammation, or injury.
- Floaters—Tiny particles drifting across the eye. Although often brief and harmless, they may be a sign of retinal detachment.
- Retinal detachment—Symptoms include floaters, flashes of light across your visual field, or a sensation of a shade or curtain hanging on one side of your visual field.
- Optic neuritis—Inflammation of the optic nerve from infection or multiple sclerosis. You may have pain when you move your eye or touch it through the eyelid.
- Stroke or Transient ischemic attack
- Brain tumor
- Toxocara—A parasitic roundworm that can cause blurred vision
- Bleeding into the eye
- Temporal arteritis—Inflammation of an artery in the brain that supplies blood to the optic nerve.
- Migraine headaches—Spots of light, halos, or zigzag patterns are common symptoms prior to the start of the headache. An ophthalmic migraine is when you have only visual symptoms without a headache.
Blurred vision may be a systemic sign of local anaesthetic toxicity
- Reduced blinking - Lid closure that occurs too infrequently often leads to irregularities of the tear film due to prolonged evaporation, thus resulting in disruptions in visual perception.
