| name: | Blurry Vision |
| also known as: | Blurred Vision; Blur Vision |
| also see: | Vision Disturbance; Stroke; Transient Ischemic Attack; Farsightedness; Near Sightedness; Astigmatism; Presbyopia; ICD |
| description: | A common cause of blurry vision is the normal loss of clear vision as one gets older. As a person approaches middle age, their vision becomes fuzzy which is due to the eye lens becoming less flexible. This is a version of farsightedness and is called presbyopia. Other causes of blurry or fuzzy vision in the absence of eye disease includes pollution, dust, hay fever, and eye strain. Eye diseases that can present with blurry vision include cataract, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, as well as pinkeye, uveitis, keratitis and strabismus. Illnesses that are not directly related to eye pathology but which can present with blurry vision include migraine headache, hyperthyroidism, stroke, transient ischemic attack, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, many forms of anemia, and acute renal failure. |
| signs & symptoms: | Includes blurry vision and can include other symptoms depending upon the cause. |
| diagnosis: | Based on signs, symptoms, history and exam, vision test as well as diagnostic tests, if needed, depending upon which direction the presentation points. |
| treatment: | Treatment varies depending upon the cause. Underlying causes need to be treated. A person approaching middle age who slowly develops blurry vision should pay a visit to the eye doctor. Self care measures might also include keeping the eyes lubricated with liquid tears, trying an off the rack pair of glasses for reading, protecting the eyes from excessive exposure to dust, wind and sunlight. |
| prevention: | Varies depending upon the cause. |
| outcome: | Some case of vision disturbance are curable but other causes are only treatable and some causes are progressive. |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If the person has sudden vision loss, slurred speech, numbness, paralysis, morning headaches, seizure, twitching, eye pain, flashing lights with significant floaters, recent head injury, photophobia (sensitivity to light), or any type of un-diagnosed loss of vision |
| go to: | Go to the hospital or the doctor. |
| if: | If the person has vision disturbance |
| go to: | Go to Also See or Description above and click on the highlighted subject of interest. |
Last updated December 1, 2001