Eye Health

Common causes of visual distortion

Visual distortion refers to the common disturbances that interfere with normal sight. Most types of visual distortion are short-term and can be corrected with proper treatment. However, permanent vision loss is a possibility in some of the more severe cases of visual distortion. Diplopia, partial or total blindness, colorblindness, blurred vision, and halos are some of the types of visual distortion one can experience.

Following are the common health conditions and disorders that can cause partial or total visual distortion depending on the severity of the condition.

Myopia
Myopia is a common refractive error that can cause visual distortion. Alternatively known as nearsightedness, people who suffer from myopia cannot see clearly when it comes to spotting distant objects. The vision is blurred as light cannot be refracted properly onto the back of the retina to send and receive brain signals and process the image. People suffering from myopia have a good short-sighted vision and require glasses, lenses or refractive surgery primarily to treat the disorder and restore only their long-sighted vision.

Hyperopia
The refractive disorder is the exact opposite condition of myopia as the person suffering from the condition is unable to see closer objects but have great long sight vision. Myopia and hyperopia can affect one eye or both eyes depending on the severity of the condition. Hyperopia makes simple things like reading a book or working on the computer difficult as a result of the short-sightedness and blurry vision.

Presbyopia
Presbyopia is caused by the loss of accommodation which is the eye’s natural ability to change or adjust focus depending on the proximity of the object in the line of sight. The condition only affects people who are above the age of forty making close objects blurry and not necessarily affecting long sight. Under normal circumstances, the eyes automatically adjust focus for every vision shift enabling a person to see clearly at all times, therefore, the loss of accommodation can cause blurry vision. For presbyopia, there are a limited number of treatment options in comparison to myopia or hyperopia.

Astigmatism
The condition is caused due to the irregular shape of one’s corneas. The cornea plays a vital role in collecting light and focusing it at the back of the retina for the brain to send or receive signals and process the image. Astigmatism can result in the appearance of double images in low contrast conditions, especially while driving at night faced with oncoming headlights.

Dry eye
Itching, redness of the eyes, and a burning sensation are some of the visible indicators of a developing dry eye condition. Dry eye can also cause visual distortion as the loss of lubricant (natural tears) can blur the vision and lead to complications that will require professional treatment.

A side effect of surgery
LASIK surgery is one of the most common and preferred vision correction treatments. Vision distortion after a LASIK surgery is a common short-term side effect. There is no immediate cause for concern as normal vision should be restored right after a couple of days. However, medical attention is advisable in case one continues to experience visual distortion for a longer duration.