As an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), I sometimes joke that not everything in life is crystal clear. But if your vision is blurry — especially in just one eye — it’s worth noting.
Blurred vision in one eye is usually a sign that something is amiss. Sometimes it can be a serious problem that calls for emergency medical attention. Other times, it signals an eye issue that should be addressed by an ophthalmologist.
When to seek help for blurry vision
Paying attention to how your blurriness shows up and the other symptoms you’re having can help you tell if it’s an emergency or not — and decide what to do next.
If one eye suddenly gets blurry or you have other sudden or severe eye symptoms like redness, pain or light sensitivity, it’s important to seek care right away. These could be signs of a serious problem that could lead to permanent vision loss if it isn’t treated quickly.
If the problem seems minor and gradual and you aren’t experiencing any other signs of an emergency, call your eye doctor and schedule an appointment. Together, you can investigate the problem and talk about possible treatment options.
If you’re not sure about the right response to your symptoms, call your doctor or ophthalmologist right away. As I tell my patients, it’s much better to get individual advice about an issue that turns out to be minor than to wait and risk your vision.
Causes of blurry vision in one eye
Conditions that affect the eye can sometimes be urgent even when symptoms don’t seem severe. That’s because treatment may be needed right away to help preserve your vision. Blurry vision might even be caused by another serious health issue, such as a neurologic condition.
In other cases, the cause can be relatively minor — and easily managed.
If you’re experiencing blurry vision in one eye, here are some of the possible causes to consider.
Glasses
The most common cause of blurred vision, even in one eye, is that you need glasses. One way to tell is by squinting. If you squint and your vision improves, that is a good sign that glasses will help you. If you experience this, please call your eye doctor to schedule an appointment. Almost all evaluations of blurry vision start with checking to see if glasses can improve your vision.
Stroke
The first possibility I want everyone to be aware of: Sudden loss of vision which may or may not be accompanied by blurriness in one or both eyes could be a sign of a stroke.
A person having a stroke may also have symptoms like sudden:
- Severe headache
- Confusion
- Trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Balance or walking issues
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, especially on one side
If you suspect you might be having a stroke, call 911 right away, even if you aren’t sure. Minutes matter. Immediate treatment can save your life and improve your outcome.
Cataracts
Cataracts happen when the eye’s lens starts to get cloudy. They’re typically caused by normal, age-related changes that many people start to notice after age 60.
Cataracts usually form in both eyes, but they can worsen at different rates. Some of my patients notice changes in only one eye at first.
Cataract symptoms include:
- Blurry, hazy or foggy vision
- Double vision
- Extra sensitivity to light
- Having trouble seeing well at night or needing more light when you read
- Seeing bright colors as faded or yellow
If you suspect you have cataracts: Schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist. Cataracts aren’t an emergency. But they can affect your vision over time, so they’re worth treating. If a cataract is mild, you might just need to update your glasses or contact lens prescription. If cataracts interfere with your daily activities, you may benefit from surgery.
Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye problem that affects your central (straight-ahead) vision. It happens when a part of the eye called the macula becomes damaged due to aging.
Blurry vision from AMD can come on slowly or quickly. It’s more concerning when it happens quickly — that can signal a more severe form of the condition called wet AMD. The blurriness can affect one eye or both.
Other signs of AMD can include:
- Dark or blind spots in your central vision
- Wavy or crooked lines
- Trouble reading and driving
- Trouble recognizing faces
- Trouble seeing fine details
If you suspect you have AMD: Wet AMD is a medical emergency. It can cause vision loss when it’s not treated quickly. So it’s important to go to your ophthalmologist as soon as possible if you’re having sudden new symptoms.
Blurred vision from AMD that comes on gradually — over the course of weeks, months, or even longer — warrant a call to your ophthalmologist for an exam.
Retinal detachment
Your retina is the structure at the back of your eye that detects light. It helps you see color and supports your central vision. Sometimes the retina can detach — or pull away from — the other tissue at the back of the eye. A detached retina can cause rapid and severe vision loss within a matter of hours.
A detached retina can cause sudden symptoms in one eye, including:
- Blurry vision
- Flashes of light
- Little black dots or lines, sometimes called floaters
- A shadow or a curtain closing across your vision
- Decreased peripheral vision
If you suspect you have a detached retina: Go to the emergency department or see your ophthalmologist right away if you think you’re having a retinal detachment. Surgical treatment can help restore your vision when the problem is caught early. Delaying care could lead to permanent vision loss.
Dry eye syndrome
Dry eyes are one of the common causes of blurry vision, and it’s possible for the problem to affect just one eye. Dry eye syndrome may also make your eyes red or swollen. If your ophthalmologist confirms dry eye syndrome as the cause of your symptoms, they can help you to manage the condition and get relief.
If you suspect you have dry eye syndrome: Call to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is another severe eye problem that should be treated as quickly as possible. It happens when fluids in your eye are unable to drain properly, causing pressure to build up in the eye. That can lead to permanent eye damage and vision loss in the affected eye.
In most cases, glaucoma develops slowly and doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms until vision is damaged. It’s something I’m able to detect at a regular eye exam — and a compelling reason to see an eye doctor regularly.
But new or sudden blurriness in one eye can be a sign of one type of the condition, called closed-angle or an “attack” of glaucoma. Other symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Severe eye pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seeing halos around lights
If you suspect you might be having an attack of glaucoma: Go to the emergency department or to your ophthalmologist immediately. Quick treatment can preserve your vision and help you avoid permanent vision loss.
Migraine
Migraine is a neurologic condition that typically causes intense, throbbing headaches. Migraine headaches typically affect one side of the head and last for many hours.
Some people have blurry vision or temporary blindness in one or both eyes before a migraine starts. For others, eye-related symptoms can kick in once a migraine has already begun. It is possible to have a migraine of the eye without a headache. In this case, the vision loss worsens and then returns to normal after 15-45 minutes.
If you suspect you might have a migraine headache: Migraine headaches aren’t emergencies, but they can be intensely painful and disrupt your daily routine. Let your doctor know if you think you may be having them. Treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of your migraines.
Care close to home
Treating blurry vision depends on the underlying cause. No matter what you may be dealing with, the experts at Temple Ophthalmology are here to help. Our eye specialists can provide everything from routine vision exams and screenings to treatment for advanced eye conditions.
We’re currently accepting new patients at all locations, including at the new Chestnut Hill Multispecialty Clinic.
Reach out today to book a visit or learn more. Call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) or request an appointment online.
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