Are you experiencing blurriness or fuzziness in one eye? It can be worrying.
Fuzzy, blurred vision in one eye can have a range of different causes. Sometimes it’s minor and temporary. However, it could also be a sign that you need to see a doctor.
We’re going to look at some of the most common causes of blurry vision in one eye.
Blurred Vision in One Eye
Blurry vision happens to most people on occasion, but if it happens in one eye, it can be worrying.
To know if your blurry vision is just in one eye, cover one eye completely. Then, assess the clarity of your vision at different distances in your other eye. After that, switch eyes and do the same thing.
There are many causes of blurry vision in one eye. It could be linked to problems with the eye’s surface, lens, or retina.
However, it could also mean that you have a condition that is affecting both eyes, but it’s more noticeable in one eye than the other.
Common Causes of Blurred Vision in One Eye
There isn’t one potential cause for blurred vision in one eye. But here are some of the more common reasons it happens.
Refractive Errors and Age-Related Changes
This might sound complicated, but it just means that your eye isn’t focusing light properly. Some common causes are nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
If one eye has a different prescription from the other, your brain could rely more on the stronger eye. This means your vision from the weaker eye will appear blurry when used alone.
Age-related changes in your eyes can also sometimes cause blurriness. As people get older, they are very often diagnosed with presbyopia. This is a common loss of near vision that generally starts in your forties. Although it usually affects both eyes, one eye can progress faster. This can cause blurrier vision from that eye during tasks like reading.
All of these conditions are very common and are easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Dry Eye
Dry eye doesn’t always affect both eyes equally. One eye may produce fewer tears.
When the surface of the eye isn’t properly lubricated, your vision can become blurry or change throughout the day. If this happens, try using eye drops.
Problems With Your Contact Lenses
Issues with your contact lenses can also sometimes cause blurred vision.
Common causes include:
- A damaged or dirty lens.
- Wearing a contact lens inside out.
- An incorrect prescription.
- The lens has shifted out of the right position.
- Protein buildup on the surface.
If you think the lens might be dirty or in the wrong position, remove it. If you’re using daily lenses, it’s best to throw that contact away and put in a new one.
For a reusable contact, be sure to clean it before you reinsert it. If you think the lens is damaged, it’s best to replace it.
If this doesn’t fix the blurriness, you might be wearing contacts that are not right for you. Reach out to your eye doctor to discuss trying different contact lenses.
Eye Strain
Spending hours in front of screens each day can end up straining your eyes. Reading and tasks like knitting can also strain your eyes over time.
Sometimes, one eye works harder than the other. This is especially the case if you have a slight prescription difference in each eye. The blurriness will often improve with rest and by taking a break from your screen.
Conditions That Need Immediate Attention
Some causes of blurriness in one eye are more serious. If you suspect you have any of these conditions, contact your eye doctor.
Cataracts
A cataract causes the lens of the eye to become cloudy over time. It could develop in just one eye at first.
Some signs of a cataract can include dim or hazy vision, light sensitivity, and colors appearing less bright.
Cataracts typically progress slowly. However, they won’t improve or go away on their own. This means you should see a doctor as soon as you start to notice symptoms.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration affects the macula, which is the part of the retina responsible for straight-ahead vision. When it first starts to develop, it could impact one eye more than the other.
You could notice blurred or distorted vision. Straight lines could also seem wavy. In addition, you may have difficulty reading.
Macular degeneration is something that needs immediate evaluation from a doctor.
Retinal Issues
Blur in one eye that appears suddenly, especially if accompanied by flashes or floaters, should be treated as urgent.
If there’s a problem in your retina, it could cause sudden changes in your vision. Some common retinal conditions include:
- Retinal detachment: This occurs when the layer at the back of the eye peels away, causing flashes, floaters, or a ‘curtain’ over vision. Immediate treatment is needed for this condition.
- Macula edema: This is the swelling or thickening of the macula, the central part of the retina. It’s caused by fluid leaking from damaged blood vessels.
- Retinal vein occlusion: This condition is also known as an ‘eye stroke,’ and it occurs when there’s a blockage of the veins carrying blood away from the retina. This leads to sudden, usually painless blurry vision or vision loss in one eye.
Optic Nerve Problems
The optic nerve carries visual information to the brain. If it becomes inflamed or damaged, your vision can become blurry in one eye.
You could also experience pain when moving the eye, dimness, or reduced color perception.
When to See an Eye Doctor
If you have any questions or concerns about the blurriness in your eye, it’s always best to reach out to your eye doctor. It’s also a good idea to contact them if the bluriness is still there after a day or two, if it keeps coming back, or if it gets worse over time.
In addition, you’ll want to book an eye exam if the blurriness affects activities you do every day, like driving or reading.
Get immediate medical care if you experience sudden vision loss in one eye. You should also get immediate care if you experience floaters or flashes of light, a shadow across your vision, or eye pain. These could be signs of serious conditions that need attention right away.
Can Blurred Vision in One Eye Be Prevented?
Not all causes are preventable, but there are ways to reduce your risk. Try to keep your prescription up-to-date and go in for regular eye exams. Also, take breaks from screens throughout the day.
Try to follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break from your screen and focus on something 20 feet away.
If your eyes feel dry, try using articial tear drops to help hydrate them. And if you wear reusable contact lenses, be sure to properly clean and store them after use.
TL;DR
- There are many causes of fuzziness or blurriness in one eye. Fuzzy blurred vision in one eye can potentially be caused by eye strain, an uneven prescription, or dryness.
- Eye strain and tiredness can lead to temporarily blurred vision. It could improve with rest.
- Blurred vision can also be caused by a contact lens. It can sometimes be fixed by cleaning the contact.
- Some conditions, like cataracts or retinal problems, are more serious. They need urgent medical attention.
- If the blurred vision doesn’t go away in a day or two, it’s a good idea to get checked out by an eye doctor.
