Blurry vision can be caused by allergies, an eye infection or migraine headaches; but it could also be an early indicator of stroke or other serious illnesses.

High blood pressure damages delicate retinal blood vessels, potentially leading to hypertensive retinopathy, central serous choroidopathy and optic nerve damage1. Seeking medical assistance immediately is advised if blurry vision is associated with elevated blood pressure levels.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs when the force of your blood pushing against the arteries remains consistently higher than necessary, potentially leading to cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease and vision loss. A simple home monitoring kit can help determine whether you have elevated blood pressure. Your systolic (first number) over diastolic (second number).

High blood pressure damages the delicate blood vessels in your eyes, leading to hypertensive retinopathy or choroidopathy and blurry vision. If this condition is left unmanaged properly, permanent vision loss could occur. For your own wellbeing and the welfare of others it’s crucial that any changes or headaches be attended to immediately by healthcare providers.

Your optometrist will perform a comprehensive, dilated eye exam to detect signs of high blood pressure. They include changes to the small blood vessels that make up your eye’s backside as well as changes to its retina; some changes may be subtle while in others it could result in visible blood leaking out from within its vessels or optic nerve.

Hypertension can also narrow your brain arteries and lead to stroke, making pregnant women particularly vulnerable as it could threaten both mother and baby’s lives. Blurry vision may be an early indicator, though usually is not.

As good news, high blood pressure doesn’t need to lead to vision loss by taking steps to lower it. These may include adopting healthy eating practices and exercising regularly as well as cutting salt intake and tobacco use – not forgetting having your blood pressure regularly checked by either a professional or home device; you could also reduce risk by maintaining normal weight, managing stress and anxiety better and being careful with alcohol use – by making these lifestyle changes you could enjoy clearer vision for years.

Retinopathy

Diabetes can alter the retina (the light-sensitive tissue located at the back wall of your eye). These changes can lead to blurry vision; this condition is known as diabetic retinopathy and it’s one of the primary causes of blindness among American adults.

Over time, high blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels supplying your retina, leading to their swelling and leakage of fluid or closing off altogether. Early symptoms may not appear – therefore it’s crucial that you get an annual medical eye exam to monitor this condition. Your ophthalmologist will administer drops to widen (dilate) your pupil and then examine its contents with special equipment. Your doctor can detect retinal problems before any symptoms appear by using color photographs of the retina and fluorescein angiography or OCT angiography – two tests in which dye is injected into one vein in your arm and then photographed as it flows through blood vessels in your retina, providing evidence of leaky fluids or new, abnormal vessels to identify potential issues in your retina.

PDR (proliferative diabetic retinopathy) is the advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy. Here, retinal blood vessels close off, no longer providing adequate blood flow to your eye and lead to abnormal new blood vessel growth that bleed easily and form scar tissue which wrinkles or detaches the retina causing detachments or blind spots in vision loss for central as well as side vision loss. PDR may even lead to blind spots.

Controlling blood sugar levels and visiting an ophthalmologist regularly for eye exams will help slow the progression of this condition, with your eye doctor providing treatments such as laser therapy or vitrectomy for growths of abnormal blood vessels that lead to further vision loss. These are some of the best practices.

Choroidopathy

The choroid is a layer of blood vessels located beneath the retina that provide nourishment and regulate blood flow to it. Furthermore, they contribute to maintaining the health of retinal structures like retinal pigment epithelium cells.

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy or CSC occurs when fluid accumulates under the retina and impairs vision, leading to blurry visuals. This is a common condition among young and middle-aged people and usually affects one eye at once; sometimes both eyes may also become affected simultaneously, potentially leading to loss of central vision as well as significant visual problems; it tends to affect men more often than women.

Choroiditis is an inflammation-based eye condition caused by fluid collection under the retina or its periphery. This inflammation often leads to fluid detachments from both eyes, with symptoms including floaters, blurred vision and light flashes occurring both eyes. More likely in younger adults it reduces central vision as well as blurry vision which makes reading or driving difficult.

A 35-year-old male reported blurred vision in his right eye for one month. He did not report recent steroid usage and had 20/20 vision in his left eye. Following fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green examination, subretinal fluid was noted during physical examination, along with thick choroid thickening and pigment epithelial detachments in his right eye on optical coherence tomography scans.

The choroid is a vascular layer in the eye located between its white outer covering (sclera) and inner layer of nerve tissues at the back (retina). Packed with blood vessels that supply oxygen directly to retina, along with its darkly-colored pigmentation to prevent reflections that could disrupt light signals from outside, it plays a part in creating the uveal tract; furthermore it serves to help eyes see better in dim conditions and is the source of melanin pigment production.

Stroke

Strokes occur when blood vessels become blocked or lose flow, causing localized damage in the brain and symptoms such as blurry vision. There are two kinds of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes result from build-ups of plaque in arteries supplying brain, while hemorrhagic strokes arise due to blood vessel rupture or break.

Blurry vision can be one of the first symptoms of both types of strokes; it is more prevalent in ischemic ones due to blood vessel blockages or narrowings that supply brain. A stroke may also result in loss of balance and coordination issues, difficulty walking uphill, difficulty standing up quickly or speaking clearly – all symptoms that need medical treatment and can make life miserable for patients and loved ones alike.

If a sudden change to one’s vision occurs, especially one accompanied by serious symptoms, they should seek medical advice immediately. This is especially important if the blurriness accompanies any other serious side effects.

Treatment for blurry vision depends on its cause; for instance, if blood clots form in an artery supplying the brain and cause blurriness in vision, the doctor will likely prescribe anticlotting medication within four and a half hours after initial symptoms appear.

Some patients’ blurry vision is only temporary and will gradually improve over time. Eye strain from prolonged focus may cause temporary blurring vision; taking frequent breaks, using lubricating eye drops and addressing any potential contributing factors (like poor lighting or ergonomic issues) may provide relief.

Temporarily blurry vision may also be caused by dry eyes or medications with side effects like drowsiness. Blurry vision could also be an early symptom of cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal disease.

Blurred vision can be normal as you age, but if it becomes frequent or is accompanied by other serious symptoms it is wise to visit an eye care provider immediately. At Grene Vision Group in Wichita Kansas our highly skilled team can help diagnose what may be causing it and create a customized treatment plan tailored specifically to you. Make an appointment now!