Vision Problems

Blurry, fuzzy, or distorted vision can be caused by a number of conditions. Most can be corrected. If your vision blurs suddenly, see your doctor right away.

The following conditions can cause blurry vision to develop slowly:

Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness (myopia) is difficulty in seeing objects that are far away. Objects close up are seen clearly. People who are nearsighted may hold reading material just a few inches from their noses.

Farsightedness

Farsightedness (hyperopia) causes nearby objects to appear fuzzy. Objects at a distance are seen clearly. People who are farsighted often hold their reading material at arm's length.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism can cause areas of blurry vision at any distance because the cornea or lens of your eye is not perfectly spherical (circular) as it should be. People with astigmatism may find it hard to see vertical, horizontal or diagonal lines clearly. Astigmatism can be accompanied by nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a problem of aging. As you get older, the eye lens hardens and loses its flexibility, making it difficult to focus on nearby objects. Inexpensive OTC “reading glasses” or prescription eyeglasses with bifocal or trifocal lenses can correct most cases of presbyopia.

Cataracts

Cataracts cloud the lens of the eye, impairing vision. They usually take years to develop. Most cataracts are a result of aging, but they can also be caused by injuries, birth defects, too much heat or ultraviolet light, medications and diabetes. Lenses affected by cataracts can removed surgically and replaced with an intraocula lens (IOL) when indicated.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma, a major cause of blindness, is a condition that results in damage to the optic nerve, which transmits visual images from the retina to the brain to produce vision. Most of the time, glaucoma is associated with an increased pressure in the eye. This pressure is what damages the optic nerve. Symptoms of glaucoma may include loss of vision to each side (peripheral vision), halos around lights, eye pain, blurred vision and gradual loss of sight. Glaucoma destroys peripheral vision first, so it often is not caught until a good deal of vision is lost. Early diagnosis through routine dilated eye exams and measurement of eye pressure after age 40 is the key to treating this problem.

Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes increasingly blurred central vision, and most often strikes elderly people. Reduced or distorted vision caused by AMD is most noticeable when you read. If the wet form of AMD is diagnosed early, laser treatment or medication can slow progression and keep it from getting worse. Two drugs have been approved to slow or block the growth of new blood vessels in wet AMD, thus preserving sight. Both are injected into the eye. Pegaptanib (Macugen), a drug that is injected every six weeks, was approved in 2004; ranibizumab (Lucentis), which is injected monthly, was approved in 2006.

What to Do

Most vision problems develop gradually. If any of the following symptoms occur suddenly, seek immediate medical help: sudden loss of sight, especially in one eye; loss of part of your visual field; double vision; or vision changes with paralysis or weakness. .

Self-Care Steps for Vision Problems

• Have regular eye exams -- every 3 to 5 years if you don't have vision problems, every 2 years if you wear eyeglasses or have other vision problems and yearly after age 60. Your doctor or eye specialist may recommend more frequent exams, especially if you wear contact lenses.

• Wear safety glasses or goggles whenever you use power tools, lawnmowers or other devices that could cause objects to fly toward your eyes.

• Wear sunglasses with UV protection when you are out in bright sunlight. Be especially careful when sunlight is reflected by water or snow. Too much UV light has been linked to cataracts and increased risk for AMD.

• Don't smoke. It can put you at higher risk for AMD and other eye problems.

• If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, keep it under control. You should get regular eye exams. These conditions increase the risk of eye diseases.