Blurry vision in one eye can affect all or just parts of your visual field. It makes objects appear out of focus or cloudy and can interfere with day to day activities, even with your glasses or contact lenses in place. Show
Sudden blurry vision in one or both eyes may indicate a medical emergency like a stroke or detached retina. Other, more gradual changes can be a sign of refractive errors. Usually, your best option whenever you experience blurred vision in one eye is to get it checked by a doctor, says Farzan Gorgani, MD, an ophthalmologist at New Jersey Eye Center. An eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) can diagnose you and select the best treatment method. Here are ten possible reasons why you're experiencing blurred vision in one eye and how to treat them. 5 causes that need immediate attentionIf you have sudden blurry vision accompanied by pain, light sensitivity, dizziness, or worsening headache it is a good idea to go to the ER — these can be signs of one of the following medical emergencies. 1. StrokeWhen areas of the brain responsible for visual processing are damaged in a stroke your vision will be affected. In fact, sudden blurry vision and changes in eyesight can be a key sign of a stroke. Other signs include:
If you or someone close to you exhibits these signs seek medical help immediately. How to treat it: Strokes are treated by restoring blood flow to the brain or controlling bleeding — and the sooner treatment begins the better outcomes are. 2. Detached retinaA detached retina is when your retina is pulled away from the back of the eye. Gorgani says the cause is usually age-related, due to injury, or genetic predisposition. If your retina is detached or torn you won't feel pain in the eye but your vision will be suddenly blurred and you might also experience:
How to treat it: A detached retina can lead to permanent vision loss, so it is important to quickly seek medical care as it usually requires surgical repair. 3. Brain tumorBrain tumors can cause gradual blurred vision by putting pressure on parts of the brain that process eyesight. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, it could cause blurry vision in one or both eyes. In addition to vision changes, possible signs of brain tumor include:
How to treat it: Whether benign or malignant, brain tumors most often need to be surgically removed to prevent further irritation or potential damage to the brain. After surgery, a doctor may recommend radiation and chemotherapy to destroy any harmful cells the surgeons couldn't reach and also to prevent new cancerous cells from growing. 4. Closed-angle glaucomaClosed-angle glaucoma is less common than the slowly progressing type of glaucoma, open-angle, and is an acute, medical emergency. Gorgani says it happens when fluid drainage is blocked in the eye causing pressure to build up. The elevated pressure can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve and partial loss of vision or blindness in a matter of days to weeks. Symptoms of closed-angle glaucoma will come on suddenly, will be only in one eye 90% of the time, and can include:
How to treat it: Seek medical care immediately — a doctor can quickly reduce the pressure with medicated eye drops. After eye drops stabilize the condition, laser surgery helps further reduce eye pressure and prevent recurrence. 5. Macular degenerationMacular degeneration, also called age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the leading cause of vision loss in the United States, with up to 11 million people having a form of it. AMD can cause various changes to your vision including:
AMD only affects the central part of your vision so it doesn't cause total blindness but can make it difficult to read, drive, or recognize faces. There are two types of macular degeneration:
What you can do: There is no cure for AMD. Treatment is geared towards managing symptoms and slowing the progression of vision loss. The most common treatment is is medical injections to the eye to reduce blood vessel growth and fluid leakage. Some causes of blurry vision, though still needing medical attention, have a less urgent time frame for treatment than those listed above. Here are five of them: 6. ConjunctivitisConjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva — the layer of tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye, says Robert Layman, OD, president of the American Optometric Association. Conjunctivitis can cause blurry vision but mild cases don't often affect vision. Other symptoms include:
How to treat it: Conjunctivitis can have numerous causes. Check with your eye doctor first, but most mild cases of conjunctivitis will go away on their own and can be treated at home with cold compresses or eye drops. However, if you have pain, blurry vision, wear contact lenses, or your symptoms don't improve after a few days of at-home treatment, check in with your doctor. They may prescribe antibiotics, antivirals, or antihistamines depending on the cause of your conjunctivitis. 7. Other infectionsViruses, bacteria, and fungi can cause eye infections leading to blurry vision. Here are some common infections to keep in mind:
8. DiabetesDiabetes can cause a serious eye condition called diabetic retinopathy which affects about 29% of people with diabetes over the age of 40. Retinopathy most often happens in both eyes, but it can occur in just one, and is painless. "Over time, diabetes may damage small blood vessels through the body, including in the retina. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when these tiny vessels leak blood and other fluids. This causes the retinal tissue to swell, resulting in cloudy or blurred vision," says Layman. How to treat it: Blood sugar control can help slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy. More advanced cases are treated with medication, laser treatment, and surgery. 9. MigraineA type of migraine, known as a retinal migraine, causes visual changes like blurred spots, twinkling lights, and temporary blindness in just one eye. These visual changes can come on before, during, or after a headache. Retinal migraines usually last less than an hour, but can mimic other serious conditions like giant cell arteritis and carotid artery disease, so it is important to consult a doctor if you are experiencing symptoms. Layman says retinal migraines are:
How to treat it: Retinal migraines are treated similarly to other migraines with NSAIDS for pain and anti-nausea medication. If over the counter medications don't work, your doctor may prescribe preventative medications like beta blockers or anti-epileptics. 10. CataractCataracts cause the lens of the eye to get cloudy and blur your vision. Cataracts usually develop in both eyes, but the clouding of the lens can happen at different rates, affecting one eye more than the other. They are fairly common and your risk of developing cataracts increases from age 40 onward — as everyone's natural lens will develop a cataract as we age. Genetics, certain medications, and other medical conditions can cause cataracts to grow quicker. How to treat it: Eyeglass prescriptions help with visual loss from cataracts, but if it advances far enough, surgery is an option to help restore your vision. Insider's takeawayBlurry vision in one eye is a fairly common symptom with a wide range of causes from mild to severe. In some cases, blurry vision will be transient and treatable. However, if you experience sudden blurry vision it might be a sign of a serious medical condition that needs immediate attention. Even if you do not use glasses or contacts, annual eye exams are recommended to complete a full health assessment of the eyes and check for systemic conditions affecting the eyes.
Adam Barnes is a licensed acupuncturist and freelance writer for Insider who specializes in acupuncture and holistic healthcare. He maintains a private acupuncture practice in Olympia, WA. Read more Read less What can cause sudden blurriness in one eye?There are a number of causes of blurry vision in one eye. Among the most common ones are refractive errors, which can lead to long- or short-sightedness. Other possible causes include infections, migraine, and cataracts. Most causes of blurry vision are not serious.
Can a headache make one eye blurry?Headaches That Cause Blurry Vision or Vision Changes
Headaches can sometimes cause blurry vision and other vision problems. This is especially true with migraines and cluster headaches.
Is sudden blurred vision in one eye an emergency?Seek immediate medical care for sudden blurred vision — even if your blurred vision is temporary — since such vision changes can signal a serious underlying medical condition.
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