What Causes Blurry Vision in One Eye?

Changes in Vision as You Age

As you get older, it's normal to have some eye issues like being nearsighted, farsighted, or having astigmatism.

If you're nearsighted, far away things look blurry. If you're farsighted, close-up stuff might be blurry instead. People with astigmatism might find both near and far things hard to see clearly. 

This is all part of the natural aging process of the eyes and nothing to worry about. However, Grene Vision Group can still help you find corrective lenses to fix your blurry vision problems.

Medication Side Effects

Sometimes the medications you’re currently taking can impact your eyesight. Common medications that affect your vision are antihistamines, corticosteroids, antipsychotics, or antimalarials. 

This doesn’t mean everyone who takes these drugs will have blurry vision. In fact, if you have glaucoma or diabetes, you actually have a bigger chance of developing blurry vision from your medications than other patients.

Even if you think your medications may be at fault for your blurry vision, it’s still a good idea to be safe. Schedule an eye exam at Grene Vision Group to get your eyes checked if you start noticing a sudden decrease in vision. 

Dry Eye Disease

According to the American Optometric Association, about 16 million people suffer from dry eye disease. 

Dry eye disease makes it hard for people to produce tears capable of lubricating their eyes like normal tears should. This is what causes that dry and scratchy feeling. As eyes dry out, it can cause blurry vision.

Artificial tears or over-the-counter eye drops may be able to provide temporary relief, but for lasting treatment you’ll need to speak to your eye doctor about ways to manage your condition.

Having A Stroke

Every 40 seconds, someone in the US has a stroke. This happens when the brain loses blood supply. 

Besides other body changes, a stroke might make your vision blurry or even make you lose it. Strokes are a very serious medical emergency. If you notice any of these signs, call 911 right away:

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body

• Confusion

• Difficulty walking

• Blurry vision in one or both eyes

Corneal Scratch or Abrasion

The cornea is the clear, protective layer at the front of your eye. It can get scratched by things like a fingernail, a small grain of sand, or even when you're putting in or taking out contact lenses. When this happens, it's known as a corneal abrasion. This kind of injury often causes pain and can make your vision blurry. If you believe you have a corneal abrasion, it's essential to see an eye doctor for proper care.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

When the drainage canals in your eye get blocked, it can lead to a less common type of glaucoma called angle-closure glaucoma.

This situation is really serious and can cause blurry vision, feeling sick to your stomach, and a lot of pain in your eye. If you notice these symptoms, you should quickly get medical help from a hospital or see an eye doctor.

Development of Dry or Wet Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration targets the center part of your vision and is more common in older folks. In the U.S., roughly 11 million people deal with either wet or dry macular degeneration.

The dry type slowly breaks down the cells that sense light. It usually shows up first, leading to a fuzzy center in your sight or trouble seeing in dim places.

Between 10% and 15% of people with dry macular degeneration later face the wet form. This happens when blood vessels in the eye start to leak. It blurs the middle of the vision in one eye and might even lead to lasting vision loss.

Retinal Detachment

The retina inside your eye can sometimes come loose on its own. This retina is like a light-sensitive wallpaper that covers the back inside part of your eye. Seeing sudden flashes or floaters is a typical early sign that the retina might be coming off.

Even though it can happen out of the blue, a detaching retina can also be linked to other problems like:

• Trauma

• Ocular degenerative conditions

• Uncontrolled diabetes

• Chronic inflammation

• Recent retinal surgery

• Family history of the condition

If you experience any of the above symptoms, schedule an emergency eye exam with Grene Vision Group immediately or visit your nearest emergency room.