Sudden Blurred Vision: What Are Its Common Causes?

Your eyes are constantly working, especially during the day. It could be difficult to accomplish your daily tasks if you have blurry vision. If you can’t see clearly, your safety could be at risk. Depending on your symptoms, you may need to see an eye specialist. Fortunately, not all cases of blurred vision are a cause of concern. 

Read on to find out what usually causes sudden blurred vision and when to seek professional care. 

Concussion

A blow or bump in the head usually causes a concussion. The impact causes the brain to move back and forth quickly. This movement might cause the brain to twist or move around the skull, resulting in chemical changes and, sometimes, damaged brain cells. 

Concussions are typically not life-threatening, but their effects could still be serious. Patients may fail to remember what happened after the incident, become forgetful and look stunned. A concussion can affect your balance, ability to think fast and mood. Someone suffering from this condition might show behavioral or personality changes. 

Permanent vision loss won’t likely happen due to a concussion, but spinal injuries might come with a concussion. If you are experiencing its symptoms, you must promptly see a doctor for an assessment. 

Stroke

Poor or cut blood supply to a part of the brain can result in a stroke. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Contact emergency services as soon as you notice someone is having a stroke. 

Someone experiencing a stroke won’t be able to lift their arms, or the person’s face may have dropped on one side. Speech might be slurred or incoherent. Some patients might not be able to talk at all or comprehend what you are saying. Severe headaches, sudden confusion and difficulty seeing are also common symptoms of a stroke. 

Retinal Detachment

The retina is the thin layer of tissue found at the back of your eye. Retinal detachment develops when the retinal cells separate from the layer of blood vessels that provide nourishment and oxygen. It is considered an emergency and must be treated immediately. Waiting too long to get treatment will only increase the risk of irreversible vision loss. 

While retinal detachment is usually painless, it can cause reduced peripheral vision and a shadow that looks like a curtain on your visual field. Patients might suddenly see floaters or small spots drifting through their visual field. Blurred vision and flashes of light in one or both eyes are typical symptoms of this condition. 

Endophthalmitis

Another medical emergency, endophthalmitis is an infection of the fluids or tissues in the eyeball. This condition is characterized by eye pain that worsens following an injection, injury or surgery. Red eyes, discharge from the eyes, swollen eyelids and reduced or blurred vision are also among its most common symptoms. 

Cataract surgery and eye injections can cause endophthalmitis, but its occurrence is quite rare. Contact your local eye clinic or medical establishment if you experience symptoms of this condition. When not treated, the infection can immediately worsen. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with endophthalmitis, your doctor might inject antibiotics or antifungal medicine into your eyes. Steroids are also a common treatment for reducing swelling and inflammation. In more advanced cases, vitrectomy surgery might be necessary. It is a procedure where the ophthalmologist removes vitreous gel from the eye and injects medicine to prevent infection.

Angle Closure Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs due to optic nerve damage that resulted from increased eye pressure. Blind spots may form in your field of vision as this part of your eye deteriorates. Eye pressure increases when the fluid flowing throughout your eye builds up. This internal fluid accumulates when the eye’s drainage system isn’t working. 

Angle-closure glaucoma happens when the iris bulges or blocks the drainage angle created by the cornea and iris. It keeps the internal fluid from circulating through the eye, increasing pressure. Sufferers might experience eye redness, pain and nausea. People with narrow drainage angles are more at risk of developing this type of glaucoma. Keep in mind that this eye condition is considered a medical emergency. 

Wet Macular Degeneration

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD): wet and dry. Dry macular degeneration is less severe and occurs in more people. However, the dry type can evolve into wet. Wet macular degeneration causes a blind spot in your visual field or blurred vision. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels leak blood or fluid into the macula. 

You’ll know you have wet macular degeneration if you are experiencing reduced central vision, visual distortions or trouble recognizing faces. People with this eye condition might require brighter light to read or do close-up work. You might have difficulty seeing printed words clearly and see a blind spot in your field of vision. 

Contact your eye doctor if you notice significant changes in your central vision. You’ll also need immediate care if your ability to see colors and fine details has been compromised. These symptoms are the usual indications of macular degeneration, especially in individuals older than 60.  

Digital Eye Strain

Spending too much time in front of digital devices can result in eye strain. Blurred vision, headaches, eye fatigue and neck and shoulder pain are common symptoms of this condition. The more you use electronic devices, the worse these symptoms will get. 

When you use your smart devices or computers, you don’t blink as much. As a result, your eyes don’t receive the lubrication they need. The contrast on digital screens can also make your eyes work harder than they should. These all contribute to the development of digital eye strain. 

There are a lot of things you can do to avoid digital eye strain. First, make sure you take breaks from computer screens. It’s a good idea to follow the 20-20-20 rule where you stare 20 feet away from the screen for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Adjusting your monitor’s settings and distance from your face will help. Proper seating posture and ensuring your device is brighter than your surroundings are also essential to preventing eye strain. 

Diabetes

High blood sugar levels increase your risk of developing several eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, macular edema and glaucoma. Diabetes can gradually damage your eyes and cause permanent vision loss. Fortunately, managing this medical condition and routine visits to your eye doctor can help preserve your vision. Whether you need a comprehensive or contact eye exam, Downtown Eyes is ready to help. 

Conjunctivitis

Pink eye or conjunctivitis refers to an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva. It is the part of the eye that lines the lids and surrounds the white area of the eyeball. The blood vessels in the conjunctiva become more apparent once they get inflamed. It’s what causes your eyes to appear pinkish. Redness, itchiness and a gritty feeling in one or both eyes are common signs of this eye condition. Sufferers may experience tearing and a discharge in one or both eyes. 

Keratitis

Prolonged contact lens wear and a foreign body in the eye are common causes of keratitis. It occurs when the cornea becomes inflamed. Bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites can also cause this eye condition. Eye redness and pain, blurred vision, excessive tear production and light sensitivity characterize keratitis. 

Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as you experience symptoms of keratitis. Waiting too long to address this eye condition can result in serious consequences, including permanent vision loss or blindness.