While some causes of blurred vision in one eye are not serious, others may require prompt medical treatment to prevent complications.
Age-related macular degeneration, a common cause of vision loss in people aged 50 and above, results in the loss of central vision. This critical area is responsible for perceiving shapes, colors, and fine details. The condition occurs due to damage to the macula, the light-sensitive tissue located at the center of the retina. Symptoms include blurred vision in one or both eyes, blind spots, straight lines appearing wavy, and difficulty recognizing faces. While lost vision typically cannot be recovered, medication can help preserve remaining sight.
Angle-closure glaucoma is a rapidly progressing increase in eye pressure, caused by the iris blocking the eye's drainage angle. This condition requires emergency treatment to prevent vision loss and often affects one eye at a time. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, severe eye pain, and sudden blurring in one eye. An ophthalmologist may prescribe eye drops, laser treatment, surgery, or a combination of these methods to manage the elevated eye pressure. Early intervention is effective in restoring vision and preventing disease progression.
Cataracts involve the clouding of the eye's lens, which can occur due to age or injury. This condition causes blurred vision, faded colors, and halos around lights. Cataracts can develop in one or both eyes over time, and cataract surgery to replace the lens helps improve vision.
Diabetes can lead to temporary blurred vision when elevated blood sugar causes tissues in the eye to swell. If undiagnosed or untreated, diabetes can result in eye complications such as diabetic retinopathy, caused by leaking or abnormal growth of retinal blood vessels. This condition can lead to diabetic macular edema, where the retina swells, resulting in distorted images and faded colors. Treatment with injections, laser, or surgery helps control the disease and slow the progression of eye damage, though it cannot fully reverse existing damage.
An eye stroke is a serious cause of sudden vision loss in one eye. This condition occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve tissues is interrupted by a blood clot in the eye's arteries. Symptoms include blurred vision, reduced light perception, and sudden, painless vision loss. Treatment varies depending on the type of eye stroke. Early detection and prompt treatment can help preserve vision.
By Bao Bao, adapted from Verry Well Health.
