Blurry Vision in One Eye – Causes & Treatment

Blurring that affects just one eye can be temporary (e.g., after waking or prolonged screen use) or persistent due to an eye or general health problem. It isn’t always dangerous, but in some cases it signals an emergency. This guide explains causes, treatment pathways, and when to seek urgent help in Bengaluru.

Common Causes of Blurry Vision in One Eye

• Eye Infections

An eye infection, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or keratitis, can cause blurred vision in one eye. Typical signs include redness, discharge/crusting, light sensitivity, and irritation. Viral conjunctivitis is very contagious; bacterial forms may need antibiotics, while many viral cases improve with supportive care. If symptoms worsen or pain increases, get examined to rule out corneal involvement.

• Eye Strain

Long hours on phones or computers can overwork the focusing system and destabilise the tear film, causing transient blur, headaches, light sensitivity, or even mild double vision. The 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds), frequent blinking breaks, and ergonomic fixes usually help. If you wear contact lenses, long screen sessions can also exacerbate dryness; consider lubricating drops and reducing air blowing directly at your face (from fans or AC vents). Digital screen use itself doesn’t permanently harm the eyes, but sustained near focus can trigger fatigue and fluctuating clarity that improves with rest.

• Refractive Errors

Unequal prescriptions between eyes (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia) are common reasons for one-sided blur. A comprehensive eye exam and updated glasses or contact lenses typically restore clarity.

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) affects central vision. Dry AMD tends to progress slowly; wet AMD causes quicker damage because abnormal blood vessels leak beneath the macula. Wet AMD is commonly treated with anti-VEGF injections that slow vision loss. Lifestyle matters: don’t smoke, manage blood pressure and cholesterol, wear UV-blocking sunglasses, and eat a balanced diet (leafy greens, colourful fruits, nuts, fish).

• Retinal Detachment

A Retinal Detachment is an emergency. Watch for sudden flashes, a surge in eye floaters, a curtain-like shadow, or reduced side vision. Seek care immediately to protect sight.

• Eye Injuries

From corneal scratches to blunt trauma, injuries can cause pain and monocular blur. Overuse of contact lenses, foreign bodies, or sports accidents are frequent culprits. Prompt assessment reduces risks of infection, scarring, or pressure spikes.

• Dry Eye Syndrome

Insufficient or poor-quality tears cause burning, grittiness, light sensitivity, and fluctuating blur, often worse while reading or on screens. Dry eye is common, affecting millions, and often relates to meibomian gland dysfunction, where the oily layer of the tears is deficient. That allows tears to evaporate quickly, blurring vision until you blink or lubricate. In stubborn cases, doctors may advise therapies like heating/expressing the glands, prescription anti-inflammatory drops, or punctal occlusion to retain tears. Management ranges from preservative-free lubricants and warm compresses to prescription anti-inflammatories, punctal occlusion, and advanced therapies.

Treatment Options for Blurry Vision in One Eye

Your blurry vision in one eye treatment depends on the cause:

• Refractive errors: New glasses or contact lenses; in select cases, laser or cataract procedures.
  
• Eye infection: Accurate diagnosis matters. Antibiotic/antiviral drops only when indicated; avoid self-starting steroid drops.
  
• Dry eye: Lubricants (prefer preservative-free if frequent use), lifestyle tweaks, prescription therapies; some cases benefit from punctal plugs/injections.
  
• AMD: Healthy habits, AREDS-2 supplements when appropriate; anti-VEGF injections for wet AMD.
  
• Retinal tears/detachment: Laser or surgery (pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckle, vitrectomy) with urgent timing.
  
• Closed-angle glaucoma: A medical emergency marked by severe eye pain, halos, headache, nausea/vomiting; treated with pressure-lowering medicines, laser iridotomy, and surgery.
  
• Eye injuries: From foreign-body removal to surgical repair, guided by examination and imaging.
  

When to See a Doctor Urgently?

Seek emergency care at once if you notice any of the following:

• Sudden, unexplained blur in one eye plus flashes, many new floaters, or a curtain/shadow (possible detachment).
  
• Severe eye pain with halos, nausea/vomiting (possible Closed-angle glaucoma).
  
• New neurological signs, slurred speech, facial droop, arm weakness, or a severe headache alongside visual change (possible stroke).
  
• Vision changes after trauma, chemical splashes, or penetrating injury.
  

Experiencing blurry vision in one eye and headache? This could be migraine, angle-closure glaucoma, or (rarely) a stroke. Don’t self-diagnose. Get urgent evaluation if severe or sudden.

Managing Blurry Vision in One Eye

Most cases are manageable (dry eye or refractive differences), but a minority are sight- or life-threatening. Don’t ignore persistent or sudden changes, especially after an injury or with neurological symptoms. A comprehensive exam pinpoints the cause and guides a personalised plan. If you’re in Bengaluru, Nethradhama’s 24×7 emergency team can triage and treat without delay.