What Does It Mean When Your Vision Is Blurry?
Posted on March 25, 2019 in Answers From Our Experts, Cataracts, Dry Eye Syndrome, Presbyopia
Blurry vision can be a symptom of a variety of different concerns; however, if your vision has very suddenly become blurry, please contact your eye doctor immediately—it could potentially be a sign of a more serious health issue.
If you’ve noticed a gradual decline in clear vision, you may be affected by one (or more) of these eye conditions:
Cataracts – this causes a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, ultimately leading to obstructed vision. The condition can continue to progress to the point of blindness, so treatment is necessary for preserving your eyesight. At New Eyes, we offer state-of-the-art laser cataract surgery, as well as traditional cataract surgery—both of which are considered safe and effective solutions. During surgery, the clouded lens is removed and replaced with an advanced intraocular lens (IOL) to restore (and possibly improve) your vision.
Dry Eye Syndrome – when the eye is unable to produce sufficient tears and/or experiences overly rapid evaporation, the lack of proper lubrication can lead to painful dryness that also often results in blurry vision. Some factors that can lead to dry eye syndrome are somewhat common in the Las Vegas area, such as dusty/windy environments and cigarette smoke exposure. If you are suffering from dry eye syndrome, our experienced eye doctors can recommend an appropriate treatment, whether it’s medicated eye drops or a more advanced procedure.
Presbyopia – typically affecting individuals 40 years of age or older, presbyopia makes it difficult to clearly see objects that are nearby, ultimately impacting everyday activities, such as reading a book or viewing texts and emails on your smartphone. Thankfully, this age-related condition can be treated in a number of ways, such as reading glasses, bifocals, or IOLs.
Myopia – usually referred to as nearsightedness, this is the most common refractive error. Objects that are further away seem out-of-focus to patients with myopia. Fortunately, nearsightedness can be treated with glasses, contacts, or a refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK.
Hyperopia – similar to presbyopia, hyperopia reduces an individual’s ability to clearly see objects that are nearby. However, it is not caused by the natural aging process and therefore can affect patients at any age. This condition is typically referred to as farsightedness, and can be corrected with glasses, contacts, LASIK, PRK, or another form of refractive surgery.
Astigmatism – caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, astigmatism results in blurry vision that can be addressed with refractive surgery. Surgery can help reshape the cornea to improve vision, but glasses or contacts are also frequently used as a non-surgical way to treat this concern. If you have astigmatism and have also developed cataracts, our eye surgeons offer specialized IOLs that can address both issues simultaneously.
In addition to these common causes of blurry vision, your eyesight can be impacted by conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, as well as other significant changes to your body or health (such as pregnancy or migraines).
To obtain a proper diagnosis and effective treatment, it is best to seek a skilled and experienced eye doctor as soon as possible. Contact New Eyes today to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable doctors.
