Changes in Vision or Blurred

Eyes | Ophthalmology | Changes in Vision or Blurred (Symptom)


Description

Blurred vision is an ocular symptom that causes indistinct or fuzzy visual images. Blurred vision, which should not be confused with double vision known as diplopia, can occur in one eye or both, for episodes of varying lengths of time, and can develop gradually or suddenly.

Causes

Blurred vision may result from abnormalities present at birth such as near- or farsightedness that require corrective lenses in glasses or it may signal the presence of eye disease. The usual cause of longstanding blurred vision is a refractive error such as astigmatism, the unequal curvature of the front of the eye, hypermetropia (longsightedness), or myopia (shortsightedness), all of which can be corrected by glasses or contact lenses. After the age of 40, presbyopia, which reduces ability to focus on near objects becomes more common.

Vision may also be impaired or blurred as a result of damage, disease, or abnormalities of parts of the eye or its connections to the brain. The most common causes of blurred vision as a result of disease are cataract and retinopathy. Other can be: glaucoma, eye infection, inflammation or injury, stroke, brain tumor, migraine or headache.

A number of medications may also lead to temporary blurring of vision as a side effect. Some of these medications include oral contraceptives, cortisone, heart medication and some antidepressants.

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