The human eye is an amazing organ that lets you see the world clearly. It processes millions of light rays and then sends the picture to our brain, translating it into an image you can understand. Over time, eye problems can occur due to aging or trauma, leading to blurry vision or blindness.
In fact, according to CDC, there are 12 million Americans aged 40 and above facing vision impairment problems. Of these, 1 million are completely blind, and 8 million have eyesight problems due to uncorrected refractive error. This article describes the symptoms, causes, and treatments for blurred vision.
An Overview of Blurry Vision
Blurred vision is a common symptom of many eye conditions. Although you may not think of blurred vision as a severe condition, it can be a symptom of a significant underlying problem. If you have difficulty seeing clearly, contact your doctor immediately to rule out any underlying causes.
You can also schedule an appointment with an optic center to determine if the blurry vision is simply because of loss of eyesight or a medical condition. Many optics stores are easily available.
If you don’t know any store near you, you can look for “Eye Glasses Near Me” on the internet. This will show you a list of all nearby optic stores where you can schedule an eye check appointment and get glasses to see clearly.
Symptoms of Blurred Vision
Many different things can cause blurred vision. The symptoms of blurred vision include:
- Halos around lights
- Double vision
- Difficulty reading small print or seeing distant objects
- Trouble focusing on close-up or distant objects
Causes of Blurred Vision
As stated earlier, blurry vision can be simply due to loss of eyesight or a result of some other medical condition. Here are some causes of blurry eye vision.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a clouding of the lens in the eye. This can happen when aging occurs, genetics is involved, or UV light exposure is excessive. A cataract may develop slowly over time or suddenly after an injury to your eye.
Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision impairment, alongside untreated refractive error. According to WHO, they cause blurry vision in around 94 million people worldwide. Similarly, an untreated refractive error causes blurry vision in 88.4 million people worldwide.
Symptoms include blurred vision, glare and halos around lights at night, poor night vision, and double vision. If you have blurred vision or other symptoms that could be related to cataracts, consult a doctor immediately because they are treatable.
The treatment will depend on the type of cataract and how severe it has become but may involve surgery to remove it if you’re experiencing problems with your sight due to having one.
Stroke
It’s important to note that blurred vision is a common symptom of stroke. It can be caused by several things, including damage to the optic nerve or retina or other diseases affecting your eyes. If you are experiencing blurred vision, you must see a doctor immediately so they can determine whether you need treatment.
A study published on the NCBI website shows the same. The study on 1500 stroke patients shows that of the total 1204 patients who received a visual assessment, 867 had symptoms of visual impairment. The most common symptom was blurry vision constituting around 22.1% of the total symptoms.
Migraine
If you have had a migraine before, it is possible that one of these headaches could be causing blurry vision. Migraines are caused by blood vessels in the brain tightening and expanding. This can cause intense pain, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms like blurry vision.
Refractive Errors
One of the most common causes of blurry vision is refractive errors. Refractive errors happen when the shape of your eye causes light to focus in front or behind your retina instead of directly onto it. This causes blurred or double vision, making everyday tasks like reading or driving tricky.
This is a widespread problem, especially for people who wear glasses or contacts. It usually worsens with age and can affect adults over 40. The good news is that treatments can correct this problem and help you see again.
Treatments for Blurry Vision
There are several treatments available for blurry vision. For example, some people with astigmatism may be able to use eye drops or artificial lenses to improve their vision. Patients with blurred vision due to cataract removal surgery can sometimes improve their vision by having laser surgery on their cornea. In fact, data shows that most people have a cataract or have had cataract surgery by the age of 80.
Some people have successfully treated blurry vision through exercises that strengthen the eye muscles and help you see clearly. These exercises include:
- The Epley maneuver: This exercise helps treat esophoria, which happens when your eyes are under-corrected for nearsightedness. Esophoria can cause blurring when reading or doing other close-up activities.
- Eye massage: This technique involves gently massaging around the eye area to help relax any tension in the eye muscles.
How to Prevent Blurred Vision
There are many ways to prevent blurred vision. Some of these ways are:
Frequent Eye Tests
You should get an eye test every two years or more often if you have a higher risk of developing blurred vision. You may also be advised to visit your optometrist for a check-up if:
- You’re over 40 years old. The average age at which people begin to notice symptoms is between 40 and 50 years old. If you are under 40 but have a family history of poor eyesight or diabetes, it’s worth getting your eyes checked sooner rather than later.
- You’ve had problems with blurry vision previously. People who already have some degree of blurred vision may need more frequent checks for signs that their condition is worsening or changing.
Healthy Diet
There are several things you can do to prevent blurred vision.
- Eat a healthy diet. Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals will help keep your eyes healthy and reduce the risk of developing eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetes. It’s also important to eat fruits and vegetables regularly. For example:
- Eat breakfast daily, including whole grains like oats or brown rice and low-fat dairy products.
- Drink plenty of water each day. Most nutritionists recommend at least eight glasses per day. This will help keep your eyes hydrated which can improve vision quality.
Dietary patterns can significantly impact your eyesight and lead to age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Hence, it is vital to eat healthily to prevent blurry vision.
Conclusion
Blurred vision is a common symptom of many eye diseases, but other conditions can also cause it. If you experience blurry vision, see your doctor to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.