What Does It Mean When Your Vision Is Blurry?

Blurred vision can be related to various things, but in many cases, it is a sign of a refractive error like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Another common cause of blurry vision is presbyopia, which is an age-related condition many of us will experience within our lifetime. However, clouded or “milky” vision impairment is usually a sign of cataracts. Each of these conditions tends to have a gradual progression, as vision becomes a bit more out of focus over time.

Please note: if your vision has become blurry very suddenly, please see an eye doctor immediately—it could be a sign of a more serious health condition.

If you are experiencing blurry vision, it is possible you may have one of the vision problems noted above. More information about each of these concerns and how they are typically corrected is below:

• Myopia – also known as nearsightedness, this is the most common refractive error, and causes individuals to be unable to clearly see objects at a distance. Aside from glasses or contacts, myopia can be treated with LASIK, PRK, or another type of refractive surgery.
• Hyperopia – individuals with hyperopia (farsightedness) can see well at a distance, but have difficulty viewing objects up close. Farsightedness can be treated with glasses, contacts, or refractive surgery.
• Astigmatism – this condition is the result of an irregularly shaped cornea. Refractive surgery can reshape the cornea and restore clear vision. Glasses or contacts can also help correct astigmatism.
• Presbyopia – similar to hyperopia, individuals experiencing presbyopia may struggle to see objects clearly when they are close, such as a book they are reading. This condition is a result of the natural aging process, and affects numerous adults over 40. Presbyopia is frequently corrected with reading glasses or bifocals, but can also be treated with certain surgical procedures such as refractive lens exchange or blended vision.
• Cataracts – caused by the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, cataracts lead to obstructed eyesight that can progressively worsen to the point of blindness. Cataract surgery is designed to safely and effectively replace the clouded lens with an intraocular lens, ultimately restoring (and often improving) the patient’s vision.
• Dry Eye Disease – when the eye’s natural production of tears is either insufficient or evaporates too quickly, the eyes become excessively dry and painful, which can also often result in blurry vision. Other symptoms of dry eye disease can include redness, light sensitivity, eye fatigue, watery eyes, and/or a burning sensation. There are a number of treatments available for this condition, including LipiFlow^®, which is an innovative device designed to help improve proper tear production.

Keep in mind that blurred vision can also potentially be related to a variety of other conditions, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and more. Additionally, pregnancy, migraines, and other changes to your body and/or health can sometimes affect your vision.

In any case, it is extremely important to see a skilled and experienced eye doctor to obtain a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

To schedule an appointment with one of the doctors at Aloha Laser Vision, please contact us today.

Editor’s note: This blog was originally posted on November 16th, 2018.