Blurred vision happens to everyone at some point. It may be the result of eye irritation, or you might need a new pair of glasses. In other cases, an underlying health issue could cause a sudden change in vision. This is serious and should be checked out by an experienced specialist.
If everyday objects appear out of focus, visit a board-certified ophthalmologist, like Dr. Fred Mattioli. The experts at Mattioli Vision Professionals can assess your eye health and provide solutions so you can see clearly again. Call our office located in Houston, TX to schedule an eye appointment.
What causes blurred vision?
Blurred vision simply means you have an inability to see fine details near or far away. It can occur in one eye or both. So, what causes blurred vision? Most people are born with refractive errors, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness. Refractive errors are usually diagnosed in childhood but can develop in adults as well. Other patients may have an underlying medical condition causing their vision issues. You can read about the potential causes of blurred vision below.
Refractive errors
As we mentioned, refractive errors are among the most common causes of blurred vision. This means that the lens in the front of the eye does not focus light properly on the retina. While refractive errors are not necessarily serious, they should be corrected so you can see properly. Refractive errors include:
- Myopia: light focuses in front of the retina. Nearsightedness causes objects far away to appear blurry.
- Hyperopia: light focuses behind the retina. Farsightedness causes objects close by to appear blurry.
- Astigmatism: blurred vision is the result of irregularly shaped eyes that focus light improperly on the retina.
- Presbyopia: affects people as they age. Presbyopia is the result of weak muscles around the eyes that are responsible for focusing light.
Causes of sudden blurred vision
If you experience sudden or unexpected blurred vision, Mattioli Vision Professionals will take your medical history and perform several tests at our office in Houston, TX. We may also ask about any accompanying symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, eye pain, itchy eyes, redness, discharge, and dry eyes. Some conditions that cause blurred vision include:
- Migraine
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Detached retina
- Certain medications
- Complications associated with diabetes
- Macular degeneration
- Eye injury
- Stroke
Once we have a diagnosis, Dr. Mattioli or a knowledgeable member of our staff can review treatment options and ways to move forward.
Blurred vision treatment
Blurred vision treatment may include prescription lenses, eye drops, prescription medications, or surgery based on your needs. For example, people with refractive errors, like hyperopia and myopia, can get corrective lenses or LASIK surgery. Patients with eye conditions such as glaucoma may require prescription eye drops or surgery. You should continue to monitor your eye health by scheduling regular appointments with an eye doctor. This allows us to catch any issues early before they become too serious.
Learn what causes blurred vision
Looking after your eyes is an essential part of your health and wellbeing. Mattioli Vision Professionals recommends protecting your eyes through regular checkups and keeping your prescription lenses up to date. If you experience blurred vision and don’t understand the cause, call our clinic in Houston, TX. Dr. Fred Mattioli offers a wide range of blurred vision treatment options that improve your eyesight and quality of life.