10 Oct Understanding Unilateral Blurry Vision: When To Seek Help
Blurry vision in one eye? Learn what can cause it.
What comes to your mind when you think of blurry vision? Near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. Right? In most cases, patients experience blurry vision in both eyes. However, there are times when patients might experience blurry vision in just “one eye.”. This condition is called unilateral blurry vision.
Blurry vision/blurred vision happens when you have difficulty seeing clearly or sharply. It is associated with various health conditions and can also be a symptom of an eye issue or your overall health. It is always advisable to visit your optometrist if you have a sudden onset of blurred vision in one or both eyes or have been experiencing blurry vision for a while.
Should you be concerned about blurry vision in one eye?
Although blurry vision in one eye is usually not serious or life-threatening, it is always advisable to seek medical attention and visit your eye doctor for a routine eye exam if you experience blurry vision, as it can be a sign of myopia or a serious underlying health condition that you might not be aware of.
What causes blurry vision in one eye?
1. Refractive Errors
Refractive errors are the most common cause of blurry vision in one eye (or both). Refractive errors cause cloudy or blurry vision- this happens because the shape of your eye prevents light from focusing on the retina directly. Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism are common refractive errors.
Corrective lenses, contact lenses, and corrective eye surgeries can treat refractive errors. Some examples of eye surgeries include LASIK, RLE, or PRK.
2. Cataracts
When the lens behind your eye becomes hardened over time or cloudy, it is usually caused by an ocular problem called Cataract. This condition can cause sudden blurry vision in one or both eyes. Cataracts are usually age-related and usually get worse slowly but some occasions it can progress rapidly due to systemic issues. A cataract can only be fixed with cataract surgery.
In this surgery, an ophthalmologist will replace your cloudy lens with an artificial intraocular lens.
3. Retinal Tear/Detachment
This is a serious eye condition, that if left untreated can lead to retinal detachment, which can cause blindness. A retina tear occurs when your retina (which is the thin tissue at the back of your eye) begins to tear or detach from its usual position. Symptoms include blurry vision in one eye (or both), flashes, floaters or reduced peripheral vision.
Retinal tears are treated through a surgical procedure called laser retinopexy.
4. Infection
Various eye infections can lead to blurred vision in one eye. These infections may include:
- Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea that can result in blurred vision and, in more serious cases, vision loss if scarring occurs.
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye): Inflammation of the conjunctiva (a membrane covering the front of the eye) resulting in a pink, swollen, and irritated eye.
- Orbital cellulitis: A bacterial infection in the deeper layers of skin surrounding the eye socket. This is an ocular emergency and needs to be sent in hospital for IV antibiotics.
5. Migraines
Headaches that cause throbbing, pulsing, or intense pain are usually a sign of migraine. Sometimes, migraines can cause visual disruptions called retinal migraines. People who suffer from these migraines may get blurry vision or temporary vision loss in one eye. Although the symptoms can be uncomfortable, they usually persist for under an hour and can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain relief medication.
6. Stroke Or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
In rare and serious cases, blurry vision can be caused by a TIA or a mini-stroke. The visual field can be affected if someone has a stroke, leading to blurry vision in one or both eyes.
If you think you are experiencing symptoms of a stroke, get medical help immediately.
7. Glaucoma
Glaucoma affects the optic nerve of the eye; it is a progressive eye disease caused by high pressure inside the eye. It usually affects both eyes but in some cases it can affect only one eye, which can cause blurry vision.
There are 2 types of Glaucoma: –
- Open-angle Glaucoma- This usually goes undiagnosed since it occurs without symptoms. Without proper treatment, vision will worsen over time.
- Closed-angle Glaucoma- This type of Glaucoma is caused by a rapid rise in eye pressure. Even though closed-angle Glaucoma is less common, it is more serious than open-angle glaucoma since the vision depletes very quickly.
8. Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a condition that affects the cells in the macula, an oval area located in the central portion of the retina. This can result in various symptoms, such as blurred vision in one eye.
There are two types of macular degeneration:
1. Dry Macular Degeneration: This type progresses slowly over time, leading to a gradual loss of central vision.
2. Wet Macular Degeneration: This type involves leakage or bleeding in the eye, causing a rapid loss of vision.
10. Dry Eyes Syndrome
Dry-eyes syndrome is an eye condition where your eyes do not produce enough tears which is responsible for lubricating the eyes. This condition can cause blurry vision in one or both eyes.
Dry eyes are a common condition and can be treated with eye drops or over-the-counter prescription drops. There are also several dry eye treatments that can help establish a proper tear film to help with dry eye disease.
11. Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy manifests when there is swelling, leakage, or closure of blood vessels in the retina, leading to symptoms such as sudden blurred vision. Treatment is contingent upon the disease’s severity and affected areas and may involve procedures such as:
- Argon laser photocoagulation
- Intraocular injections
- Surgical intervention
Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as adhering to a healthy diet and engaging in physical activity can help mitigate the risk of developing diabetes.
Now that you know what can cause blurry vision in one eye, it is time to visit your eye doctor for your routine eye exam. Remember, your eyes are important and help you see what the world has to offer, therefore they must get the best care possible.
If you think that you are experiencing blurry vision in one eye or both, schedule an appointment with Dr. D’Orio Eyecare today. You can visit https://drdorioeyecare.com/book-appointment/ or call us at 416-656-2020 for our Toronto location, or 416-661-5555 for our North York location.
