Could It Be More Than Just Blurry Vision? When to See an Eye Doctor

Submitted by Michael J. Elman, M.D. on September 26, 2024
Blurry Vision in Rosedale

At Elman Retina Group, our elite retina specialists diagnose, manage, and treat all retinal diseases. That means we see a lot of patients with blurry vision — but many don’t realize that this symptom could indicate an eye health problem requiring prompt treatment.

Recognizing when to see an eye doctor about blurry vision may help you stop symptoms and prevent a serious condition from progressing. Let’s explore when blurry vision might be more than just a minor inconvenience and when it’s time to see an eye doctor.

Common Causes of Blurry Vision

Blurry vision often occurs for temporary or chronic issues, including:

  • Eye strain: Too many hours staring at digital screens can cause eye fatigue and blurriness.
  • Refractive errors: Refractive errors are problems with how your eye focuses light on your retina. They include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (irregular lens or cornea shape).
  • Dry eyes: Dry eyes occur when your eyes don’t create enough tears to lubricate your eyes or when the tears you produce have too little oil and evaporate too fast.

These are the less serious reasons for blurry vision. All are treatable with rest, eye drops, and corrective lenses (glasses or contacts).

When To See the Eye Doctor About Blurry Vision

Blurry vision can be a symptom of serious eye conditions needing immediate treatment. Some eye diseases that cause blurry vision and their warning signs include:

  • Sudden vision loss: This can be a sign of retinal detachment.
  • Fluctuating blurry vision: If your blurry vision comes and goes, it could be a sign of diabetic retinopathy. As your blood sugar level fluctuates, so can your vision.
  • Cloudy eyes: Cloudy eye lenses are a common sign of cataracts.
  • Decreased central vision: Reduced central vision while your peripheral vision stays the same could be a sign of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  • Flashes of light: Also called flashes, this symptom can occur for many reasons. Posterior vitreous detachment, which happens as you age, can cause occasional flashes. However, frequent sudden flashes and floaters could indicate a retinal tear or detachment.
  • Persistent floaters: Floaters (lines and shapes floating in your visual field) can point to a retinal tear or detachment. Some floaters are normal, but many of them combined with flashes could be serious.
  • Eye redness: Eye redness, alongside blurry vision, could point to glaucoma or an eye infection.

If you have any of these signs of eye disease, call our office immediately. The earlier we diagnose your condition, the more effectively we can restore your vision and prevent additional damage.

Let The Eye Disease Specialists Help

At Elman Retina Group, we specialize in diagnosing and treating various eye conditions that can cause blurry vision. Call us at 410-686-3000 or contact us online to make an appointment and let our eye disease specialists help you achieve clearer, healthier vision.