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Blurred vision is a common symptom of several diseases and conditions. Sometimes it goes away on its own or can be treated easily. Other cases, however, require immediate medical attention from an eye doctor or an emergency physician. Understanding the common causes can help you seek the treatment options that are right in each instance.

Common Causes of Blurred Vision

Prolonged blurring is often the result of refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This can generally be corrected with glasses or contacts. Those who already have these corrective products and notice blurred vision may need to have their prescriptions updated. Sometimes, the condition is simply caused by eye strain, which often occurs when people spend too much time in the sun or looking at screens.

Other eye-related conditions that may cause blurred vision include cataracts, macular degeneration, infection, and eye injuries. Cataracts and macular degeneration may present symptoms over time, while infections and injuries tend to come on faster.

eye doctorBlurred vision can also be caused by other health issues, such as a migraine or stroke. Migraines generally come with a headache and sometimes nausea. A stroke is a serious health event that often includes loss of muscle control, severe headache, and difficulty speaking.

How to Treat It at Home

If blurred vision is prolonged or comes with other symptoms, it’s not recommended that you treat it at home. However, if you notice this symptom after spending all day squinting in the sun or staring at a computer screen, simply resting your eyes may go a long way. Take a nap or do an indoor activity that doesn’t involve technology to see if it goes away on its own.

When to See a Doctor

If you have blurry vision along with any of the signs of a stroke, such as sudden numbness and difficulty speaking, seek emergency medical care immediately. If you feel that it’s a result of a problem like astigmatism or cataracts, make an appointment with your eye doctor as quickly as possible. They’ll perform an eye exam to find the source of the problem.

For simple vision issues, a new prescription for glasses or contacts may solve the problem. Issues like cataracts and eye injuries may require surgery or medication, as they can worsen and lead to blindness in many cases.

 

If you’re looking for an eye doctor to help with your blurry vision, contact Midwest Eye Center: A Division of TriState Centers for Sight. Serving Greater Cincinnati, OH, and northern Kentucky area, the eye care center has doctors that specialize in various areas, from LASIK surgery to glaucoma treatment. Visit the website to see a full list of services or call (859) 525-6215 to request an appointment.

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