Allergic rhinitis: impact, diagnosis, treatment and management
Why Does My Vision In One Eye Suddenly Turned Cloudy?
Imagine the time you wake up and your vision suddenly turns cloudy. It may give the impression that you are viewing through a haze that can cause a lot of worry and anxiety. We spoke to Dr Ajay Sharma, Ophthalmologist, Chief Medical Director - EyeQ, to know why this happens.
Dr Sharma said, "Vision opacity can affect one or both eyes. Various ailments can result in foggy vision, both common and uncommon. While many of them are not serious, some of them can be."
Common Causes for Suddenly Cloudy VisionHere are some things to know about diseases that might lead to blurry vision in one eye.
FloatersDr Sharma said, "One of the most frequent causes of both foggy and blurry vision is eye floaters." Floaters appear as wavy lines, blobs, or other forms that move in your field of vision. He added that the majority of the time, floaters are brought on by age-related changes to the eye.
"These are insignificant and will disappear on their own. However, you should see a doctor to get tested for causes like a ruptured retina if several floaters arise quickly or if they result in central or peripheral (side) vision loss," he added.
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Eye Damage, Illness, Or InflammationAccording to Dr Sharma, cloudy vision in one eye can also be brought on by eye injuries or infections, including:
"The protein in the eye degrades and clumps together as we age. The aggregates resemble foggy patches on the eye's lens. The name of these patches is cataracts," explained the doctor. "You might not initially experience any symptoms if you have a mild cataract. But gradually, the most recognisable symptom of the condition, cloudy vision, occurs. Others may also notice a cloudiness in your eye," he added.
Other signs and symptoms of cataracts include:
Dr Sharma said, "The treatment for foggy vision in one or both eyes depends upon the cause." He added that you may also treat minor causes of blurry vision at home, such as eye discomfort or strain. "Consider taking a break from reading or using screens if you have eye strain, apply warm compresses to relieve itchiness, or use over-the-counter eye drops if you have dry eyes," the doctor recommended.
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Dr Sharma said, "Prescribed topical or oral medication can be used to treat minor eye infections. But if your eyes are undergoing a macular degeneration, there is no cure. However, it can be managed with nutritional supplements, photodynamic therapy, and medications."
"Treatment options for diabetic retinopathy include laser surgery, eye surgery, and eye injections. While in the case of cataracts, surgery is the only available treatment," added the doctor.
ConclusionMinor conditions like eye irritation, an infection, or floaters may be the cause of blurry vision in one or both eyes. Additionally, the cause of blurry vision is cataracts, which can be corrected with simple surgery. Macular degeneration, diabetes, and uncommon issues like a stroke are some of the most severe causes of foggy vision.
"If you notice any fogginess in your, note when it began and how long it has lasted before informing your healthcare professional," suggested Dr Sharma. "Don't delay seeking medical assistance if you experience foggy vision or other 'red flag' symptoms of a more serious problem," he concluded.
[Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided by a registered dietician. However, we recommend you consult your healthcare provider for a diet plan as per your body's requirements.]
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Top Causes Of Sudden Blurred Vision
Your vision getting blurry can be scary especially if you don't know why it is happening. However, this is one of the most common eye problems and usually, it shouldn't be a major cause of concern. It could be something as simple as needing to update your glasses or contacts. That said, sometimes unclear, unfocused, or blurry vision could indicate a serious health concern.
If you notice your vision getting fuzzy, it is always a good idea to check with an ophthalmologist. Knowing the reason behind the blurry vision is key in resolving the issue. With that in mind, here are some of the most common causes of blurry eyesight and what you can do to fix the problem:
You need prescription glasses
Both shortsightedness (myopia) and long-sightedness (hyperopia) are refractive errors that are behind many cases of blurry vision. In such cases, the curve of the eye gets in the way of light focusing directly on the retina. When light entering your eyes doesn't bend correctly, you can't see images clearly.
Fix it: Blurred vision from refractive errors is fairly easy to fix. All you need to do is get prescription glasses or contact lenses or have the ones you're currently wearing updated. Consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist for a checkup. Consider going for laser eye surgery to permanently correct the problem.
You need reading glasses
You don't have to be either shortsighted or longsighted to need glasses. People with presbyopia, where you have trouble focusing on close up images such as reading material, also need glasses. You might have this problem if you find that you have to hold newspapers or book a little further away from your face to read them.
Fix it: Just like with other refractive errors, presbyopia can be easily solved with prescription glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery. But if you don't have any additional eye problems, the solution is as simple as wearing reading glasses. If you have any additional refractive issues (either myopia or hyperopia), consider switching to bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses.
You're developing cataracts
Just like ageing causes your skin to wrinkle, it can give you blurry vision. The main reason behind this is the formation of cataracts on the lens of the eyes. Cataracts form when protein builds up on the lens either due to ageing or some form of eye injury. This protein buildup blocks light from reaching the retina.
Cataracts might start developing when one is in their 40s or 50s. But they usually start affecting vision after age 60. Cataract formation doesn't cause any pain or other symptoms. Most cataracts are not visible to the naked eye. But in some severe cases, the pupil might look whitish, which means that the lens is totally covered by a dense cataract.
People with cataracts often complain of blurry, hazy, or less colourful vision. They often find it more difficult to read, drive (especially at night), or read facial expressions.
Fix it: Some cataracts stay small and cause no problems. Wearing stronger reading glasses and using brighter lights can help in mild cases. But in cases where cataracts cause significant vision problems, the only solution is to get cataract surgery. With a 97-98 per cent success rate, cataract surgery is one of the most successful surgeries. Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that only takes about 15 minutes.
You have an eye infection
If you have the habit of leaving in your contact lenses when you sleep, you're likely to get infections that can cause blurry vision. Contact lenses can leave tiny scratches on the eye surface. Microorganisms on the contact lenses get into these scratches and cause infections. This leads to sores that can blur vision.
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But you don't have to wear contact lenses to get eye infections that can blur your vision. Herpes keratitis is an eye infection that is known to cause blurry
vision. Most people get the infection by touching a cold sore on their mouth and then touching their eyes. Other bacteria and fungi can also cause infections that lead to blurred vision.
Fix it: If you use contact lenses, always take them out before going to bed. Throw out disposable contact lenses at the end of the day. Eye infections are usually treated with antibacterial or anti-fungal eye drops, which will restore clear vision. But the best method of protection for your eyes is prevention.
You have dry eye syndrome
As the name suggests, dry eye syndrome is caused by a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. The most common types of dry eye syndrome are insufficient tear production or excessively rapid tear evaporation. With this syndrome, the tear film gets dry, which causes the cornea to become irritated. An irritated cornea might scatter light instead of focusing it as it enters the eye, which leads to hazy vision.
Fix it: The most common treatment for dry eye syndrome is artificial tears or other lubricating eye drops. There are a wide range of prescription eye drops to provide relief for dry eye.
You have diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes is responsible for some cases of blurry vision. This is because high blood sugar causes damage to the delicate blood vessels in the eyes. The damaged blood vessels can have leakages, which leads to diabetic retinopathy.
High blood sugar can also cause the lens to swell, affecting how the eye focuses light. This issue might last a few hours or a couple of days.
Fix it: If you suspect that you might have diabetes, get checked. Controlling your blood sugar is key in healing damaged organs and preventing more damage.
You have high blood pressure
High blood pressure usually develops silently without symptoms. But one of the signs of high blood pressure is blurry vision. This is usually caused by a mini-stroke of the eye called a vein occlusion. This usually happens without any other warning signs. A person with high blood pressure might wake up one day with hazy vision, usually in one eye.
Fix it: Vein occlusion treatments have to be given right away to be effective. Delays can lead to loss of vision.
Blurred Vision Can Be Due To Neurological Causes: Know What They Are
Experiencing a blurry vision does not necessarily mean an eye-related problem. There could be a neurological cause to it. In an interaction with Only My Health, Dr Aparajita Chatterjee, Consultant Neurologist, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, Kolkata, said, "Vision relies on a complex interplay between the eyes, optic nerves, and brain." According to her, blurred vision refers to a loss of clarity or sharpness in one's vision, where objects may appear hazy or out of focus. Let us delve deeper into the relationship between eye-sight and the nervous system.
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The Nervous System And Vision: What Is The Link?
"The link between the nervous system and vision is intricate and crucial for our ability to see and interpret the world around us," said Dr Chatterjee, adding, "The eyes capture visual information and send it to the brain through the optic nerves. The optic nerve carries this visual information to the brain. Once received, the brain processes and interprets the visual signals, allowing us to see and recognize shapes, colours, depth, and movement."
"This intricate connection involves multiple regions of the brain, including the visual cortex and other specialised areas responsible for different aspects of vision, such as object recognition and spatial awareness (awareness of a person's surroundings and their relative position to them)," she added.
Neurological Causes of Blurred VisionHere are some of the common neurological causes of blurred vision:
MigraineCertain types of migraines, particularly those with an aura, can cause temporary visual disturbances, including blurred vision, said Dr Chatterjee. These episodes, known as migraine-associated visual disturbances, may involve zigzag lines, blind spots, or blurred areas in the visual field, she added.
Optic Neuritis
This condition involves inflammation of the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. According to the doctor, optic neuritis can result in blurred vision, along with other symptoms such as eye pain, reduced colour vision, and visual field loss. It is commonly associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but it can occur independently as well.
StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, leading to brain cell damage. Depending on the affected area, strokes can cause blurred or double vision, difficulty focusing, or visual field defects.
Brain TumoursTumours in the brain, particularly those affecting the optic pathways or the visual centres in the brain, can lead to blurred vision. Other associated symptoms may include headaches, changes in peripheral vision, or visual field loss.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)Sudden surges of blood pressure, which can occur in pregnant patients with elevated blood pressure, often with seizures (called eclampsia), or in patients with renal disease, can present with sudden onset severe headache with blurred vision.
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Other Causes Of Blurred Vision
Apart from neurological causes, other factors that can impact vision and cause blurred vision include:
If you experience any eye pain or blurriness, avoid jumping to conclusions. While it may not be anything serious, it is best to consult an ophthalmologist. However, if blurred vision is associated with neurological issues, then seek detailed medical advice from a specialised doctor and proceed with the right treatment.
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