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Blurred Vision

Some Basics...

• Sudden loss of vision is almost always serious. A doctor's exam is needed right away.
• New blurry eyesight, floaters, or double vision can also be serious.

Causes

Here are some causes of sudden loss of vision in one eye and clues as to the possible cause.

• Acute angle-closure glaucoma: blurred vision in one eye, eye pain (often severe), nausea, halos around lights.
• Central retinal artery occlusion: complete or partial vision loss in one eye, painless.
• Central retinal vein occlusion: complete or partial vision loss in one eye, painless.
• Optic neuritis: blurred vision, pain with eye movement, usually just one eye.
• Retinal detachment: a shower of floaters, flashing lights, blurry eyesight, partial visual field loss (like "curtain coming down").
• Vitreous hemorrhage: painless, may see "red", occurs in patients with diabetes.

Gradual loss of vision can occur with aging. Here are some causes of loss of vision in both eyes.

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Cataracts
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Glaucoma (open-angle)

When to Call for Blurred Vision

Care Advice for Eye Strain (Prolonged Close Work)

1. What You Should Know:
   • Eye strain occurs when the eyes become tired from over-use.
   • It can be caused by driving, reading, or using a computer for a long period.
   • The eyes may feel dry, tired, or heavy. They may itch, burn, or water. Other symptoms are blurry vision and headache.
   • This is a common eye problem that usually goes away with resting the eyes.
2. Rest the Eyes:
   • Lie down with your eyes closed for 10-20 minutes.
   • Or, sit quietly in a dark room for 10-20 minutes.
3. For Dry Eyes:
   • You can use over-the-counter artificial tears if you have dry eyes.
   • Put 1 to 2 drops into each eye whenever they feel dry.
4. Expected Course: It should get better after resting.
5. Call Your Doctor If:
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.