Although we often think of our eyes as a nearly identical pair, each eye is an individual. The irises are unique, the lashes are not perfectly alike, and in most cases, the vision is not the same. One eye might have astigmatism while the other does not. One eye might be more nearsighted than the other. Although natural, unaided vision between two eyes is typically quite similar, sometimes you might notice that your eyesight is blurry in only one eye. What causes this? Is it a normal occurrence or cause for concern? Scroll down to learn what to do if you have blurry vision in one eye.
What to Do If You Have Blurry Vision in One Eye
First of all, if you’re experiencing blurry vision in one eye, you should contact your eye doctor right away to schedule an appointment. Especially if the change has happened gradually, the difference may be the result of a simple refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.) that can be corrected by adjusting your prescription. However, in some cases, blurry vision is a sign of something more serious. So if your vision suddenly changes in one eye, take the matter seriously. You could be experiencing an eye emergency.
Common Causes of Blurry Vision in One Eye
The following issues and conditions sometimes cause blurred vision in one eye. Fortunately, many of them present a low risk to your health if they’re detected early and treated promptly. Your unbalanced eyesight could be the result of one of the following:
- Refractive errors (such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism)
- Incorrect prescription
- Age-related vision changes (also known as presbyopia)
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Dry eyes
- Eye strain
- Pink eye (also known as conjunctivitis)
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- High blood sugar
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Inflammation (such as keratitis, iritis, or uveitis)
- Corneal injury
- Migraine
Other Potential Causes
Occasionally, blurry vision in one eye is a sign of a very serious health problem. This is why it’s so crucial that you contact your eye doctor right away, especially if the blurriness appears quite suddenly. The following are all causes of sudden blurred vision:
- Stroke
- Transient ischemic attack (a stroke that lasts only a few minutes)
- Retinal detachment
- Inflammation of the optic nerve (also known as optic neuritis)
- Brain tumor
- Hyphema (when blood collects in the eyeball due to trauma)
- Macular hole
- Temporal arteritis (inflammation of the arteries near the temples)
If you experience any of the following symptoms alongside suddenly blurry vision, seek medical attention right away:
- Loss of consciousness or alertness
- Significant vision reduction or vision loss
- Eye pain
- Numbness or weakness and/or facial drooping
- Difficulty speaking
- Severe headache
- Confusion, delirium, or hallucinations
- Lethargy
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While blurry vision in one eye isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm, it can sometimes be a sign that you’re experiencing a significant health issue. So if the blurry vision comes on suddenly, contact a medical professional ASAP. And even if the change is gradual, remember that it’s important to have all vision changes assessed by an eye doctor promptly.
If you’re overdue for an eye exam and you live in southwest Missouri, stop by Heffington’s. Since 1975, the Heffington family has been assisting the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. One of the unique features of our family-owned business is that we manufacture lenses at our own laboratory, giving us total control over the service and pricing, and we’re happy to pass our savings on to you. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an e-mail to asktheexperts@heffingtons.com, or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location). We look forward to hearing from you!