Blurred vision resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Wajeeha Aiman, M.D.[2]

Synonyms and Keywords:

Overview

Blurred vision is very common visual complaint with ophthalmologic or neurologic conditions. This is an inability to see small details clearly and sharply. Decreased visual clarity can develop gradually or suddenly depending on the cause of symptom. Refractory errors are the major causes of blurred vision complaints. Therefore most of these vision issues can be corrected with glasses. Any disease affecting eyes can cause blurriness in vision. To guide the diagnosis of blurred vision it is important to know the details like duration, progression, near or far sighted, permanent or transient, uniocular or binocular and associated symptoms.

Causes

Life Threatening Causes

Life-threatening causes include conditions that may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.

• Eye Trauma
• Glaucoma
• Stroke
• Brain tumor
• Retinal detachment
• Optic neuritis
• Transient ischemic attack

Common Causes

• Age related macular degeneration
• Cataract
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Myopia
• Migraines
• Dry eyes
• Presbyopia
• Need for corrective lenses
• Uveitis
• iritis
• Adverse effect (medicine)

Diagnosis

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Treatment

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Do's

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Don'ts

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