What is blurry vision?
Blurry vision means images look soft, hazy or out of focus. It may affect one eye or both. It can be constant, or it may come and go through the day. Blurring is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The task of a blurry vision specialist in London is to find out which part of the visual system is responsible, from the tear film and cornea to the lens, retina and optic nerve.
What are the common symptoms of blurry vision?
- Difficulty seeing fine detail, at distance or up close
- Vision that comes and goes, or fluctuates through the day
- Vision that is worse in low light or at night
- Glare or haloes around car headlights
- Eye strain, aching or headaches after reading or screen work
- Blurring alongside other symptoms, such as floaters or eye discomfort
Keep a short note of when the blurring started and what makes it better or worse. This history is genuinely useful at your first consultation.
What causes blurry vision?
Blurred vision has many possible causes. Some are easily corrected. Others need timely treatment to protect sight. Common causes include:
- Refractive error:short sight, long sight, astigmatism or presbyopia. Uncorrected refractive error is the most frequent reason for blurred sight worldwide.
- Dry eye disease: an unstable tear film blurs vision between blinks, often worse with screen use or air conditioning.
- Cataract: clouding of the natural lens, causing gradual blur, glare and reduced night vision. The NHS cataract information page outlines how the condition progresses.
- Diabetic eye disease: fluctuating or reduced vision related to blood glucose levels and retinal damage, described by the NHS in its diabetic retinopathy guidance.
- Retinal conditions: including macular problems, retinal vein occlusion or retinal detachment.
- Corneal problems, inflammation inside the eye, or raised eye pressure.
Sudden blurring should always be assessed urgently, particularly when it affects one eye or arrives with other symptoms.
How it's treated
Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause, identified at a full diagnostic consultation. This may be as simple as an updated glasses prescription, or may involve treatment for cataracts, dry eye, diabetic retinopathy or a retinal condition.
Quick facts
Consultation & Diagnostics
Full specialist assessment with retinal imaging (OCT). Fee: £250.
Time
Varies
Recovery
Varies
Anaesthetic
Varies
Related treatments
Concerned about your vision?
Book a consultation with Mr Elhousseini for a clear diagnosis.