In the contemporary times when screen use dominates our lives, most of us tend to experience blurred vision once-in-a-while. It is quite a common eye condition for which people reach out to eye doctors. Individuals with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (cylindrical eye power) often report blurred vision.
However, sometimes you may experience blurred vision in only one eye (unilateral blurry vision). It may be disturbing as objects may appear uneven or skewed. Knowing about its potential causes can help you better understand the condition and approach an eyecare specialist in a timely manner – to preserve your sight. Before we elaborate what causes blurred vision, we should know what blurred vision is.
What is Blurred Vision?
When your sight lacks clarity or sharpness, it indicates blurry vision. It is the most commonly reported sight issue. You may experience blurry vision in both eyes, or just one. When it inflicts just one eye, it is referred to as unilateral blurry vision.
It may indicate diverse eye and overall health issues ranging in seriousness – from relatively benign refractive error to potentially fatal stroke. Even if the cause is non-serious in nature, blurry vision generally worsens over time. Whether or not it seems serious, you must approach an eye specialist if you notice sudden or unexpected blurry vision.
What are Blurred Vision Symptoms?
Blurry vision is generally accompanied by other indicators that can help identify the root cause. This is helpful in getting the right treatment. These additional signs may range from mild to severe. Also, they may appear suddenly or develop gradually. If you notice any of these signs alongside cloudy vision, it is critical to consult an eyecare provider at the earliest.
- Headaches
- Eye Pain
- Light Sensitivity
- Floaters or Flashes of Light
- Tearing or Discharge
- Redness
- Distorted Vision or Halos
What are the Causes for Blurred Vision in One Eye?
When it happens, most people tend to wonder – “Why my one eye is blurry?” Well, here are the prominent reasons for blurred vision in one eye:
1. Refractive Errors
It is the most common and least serious cause of vision turning blurry in one eye. You get refractive error or eye power when the shape of the eye is such that light is not able to properly focus on the eye surface. Common refractive errors are:
- Myopia or nearsightedness
- Hyperopia or farsightedness
- Astigmatism (Problem with both – near and far vision)
Treatment:
- Use corrective eye glasses or contact lenses
- Get refractive eye surgery – LASIK, SMILE Pro, Contoura Vision, Wavelight Plus InnovEyes, ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens), RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange)are some of the popular options. Sohana Eye Hospital has all advanced US-FDA approved refractive surgery options that allow you to see clearly the next day itself.
2. Cataracts
This eye condition causes the natural eye lens to become cloudy and hard, not allowing light to enter the eye properly. The most common age-induced eye condition, cataracts may lead to sudden blurry vision in one or both eyes.
Treatment:
The only solution to cataracts is cataract surgery – to replace the clouded natural eye lens with a clear artificial lens. At Sohana Eye Hospital, you can choose from revolutionary cataract eye surgery options – MICS (Micro Incision Cataract Surgery), FLACS (Femto Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery), and the latest AI Robotic Cataract Surgery.
3. Eye Infections
There are several eye infections that may cause blurred vision in one eye. Here are some examples:
- Keratitis: A serious corneal infection caused by bacteria, it can result in blurred vision and even loss of vision.
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye): When the front layer of the eye becomes inflamed, your eye(s) may become reddish, swollen, and itchy.
- Orbital cellulitis: Another bacterial infection, it affects the deeper layers of skin around the eye socket.
Treatment:
Prescription medications and eye drops can help treat these infections and give you relief from symptoms.
4. Retinal Tears + Detachment
Retina is the light-sensitive thin tissue at the back of the eye on which images form. When it begins to pull away from its normal position, the patient is said to have a torn retina. It can further result in retina detachment – a serious eye condition that needs immediate medical intervention. Symptoms include blurry or cloudy vision in one eye, floaters, flashes,and diminished side vision.
Treatment:
- Laser surgery
- Cryopexy (a surgical procedure)
5. Migraines
Severe pulsating, throbbing headaches are referred to as migraines. Retinal migraines may cause sudden blurry vision and temporary vision loss in one eye. Duration is typically less than an hour.
Treatment:
- Over-the-counter pain killers
- Prescription medicines
6. Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Stroke victims may face blurred vision in one or both eyes. Headache, difficulty speaking, disorientation, and one side of face getting numb, are some other symptoms of stroke.
Strokes are a medical emergency and require immediate attention of a healthcare provider.
Treatment:
- Medications
- Laser Treatment
7. Glaucoma
A group of progressive eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, glaucoma is typically linked to high pressure inside the eye. This eye disorder can lead to gradual loss of vision, which includes blurry vision in one or both eyes.
Treatment:
- Oral Medications
- Eye drops
- Laser treatment
- Glaucoma surgery
8. Dry Eye Syndrome
It is a condition wherein the eye fails to produce adequate tears for proper lubrication. Tears not only lubricate the eye but also flush out foreign particles, and reduce infection risk. In absence of enough tears, a patient may experience sudden blurred vision.
Treatment:
- Over-the-counter artificial tears
- Prescription drops
- Lipiflow Therapy
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy
- Punctal Plugs
9. Macular Degeneration
This is an eye condition in which the cells in a patient’s macula (an oval area in the middle part of the retina) disintegrate. One of the symptoms of macular degeneration is sudden blurred vision in one eye. Macular degeneration is of two types – dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. Of these types, wet macular degeneration is an emergency situation demanding immediate attention of an ophthalmologist.
Treatment:
- Lifestyle modifications (dry macular degeneration)
- Regular monitoring (dry macular degeneration)
- Nutritional supplements (dry macular degeneration)
- Anti-VEGF injections
- Laser therapy
10. Diabetic Retinopathy
It is an eye condition that occurs as a result of diabetes – when a patient has abnormally high levels of glucose in their blood. Diabetic retinopathy strikes when the blood vessels in the retina swell, leak, or get blocked, which may result in sudden blurred vision.
Treatment:
- Laser therapy
- Intravitreal injections
- Vitrectomy
Diagnosis and Treatment for Blurry Vision in One Eye
Diagnosis and treatment options depend on the cause and seriousness of the condition. If you notice blurred vision in one eye, you should ideally get a comprehensive eye examination at the earliest.
Comprehensive eye checkup is done after dilating the eyes, and your eye specialist can assess any damage and advise the right treatment according to the underlying condition. If you are thinking – “Can blurry vision fix naturally?”, please note that there are no natural fixes for blurred vision, whether it is in both eyes or one eye.
So, if you or a loved one is experiencing blurred or cloudy vision, visit Sohana Eye Hospital, the best eye hospital in Chandigarh as soon as possible. Whether it is due to a refractive error or diabetic retinopathy, the eye specialists here have the most advanced diagnostic tools to detect the underlying issue, and cutting-edge treatments to address the same.
Get the best treatment at affordable prices, and maintain your eye health for life.
