From the Guidelines
Blurry vision is a symptom that warrants immediate medical attention if accompanied by red flags such as sudden onset, eye pain, severe headache, flashing lights, floaters, or vision loss in one or both eyes. According to the most recent study on corneal edema and opacification preferred practice pattern 1, signs and symptoms of concern include blurred or variable vision, often with a diurnal character, photophobia, redness, tearing, intermittent foreign-body sensation, and intense, disabling, or task-disrupting pain. Key red flags for blurry vision include:
- Sudden onset of blurry vision
- Blurry vision accompanied by eye pain, severe headache, flashing lights, or floaters
- Vision loss in one or both eyes
- Recent history of other ocular surgery or complications
- Blurry vision with facial drooping, slurred speech, or weakness on one side of the body, which may indicate stroke
- Blurry vision with nausea, vomiting, or seeing halos around lights, possible acute glaucoma
- Blurry vision with fever, eye redness, or discharge, suggesting infection
- Blurry vision that occurs with diabetes, high blood pressure, or after head trauma. It is essential to prioritize these red flags and seek urgent medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss or other serious complications 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Posterior subcapsular cataracts, glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerves, and may enhance the establishment of secondary ocular infections due to fungi or viruses Increased intraocular pressure Glaucoma Posterior subcapsular cataracts
The red flags of blurry vision are posterior subcapsular cataracts and glaucoma, which can be caused by prolonged use of corticosteroids, including prednisone tablets 2 2.
From the Research
Red Flags of Blurry Vision
- Sudden vision loss can be a symptom of serious conditions such as acute angle-closure glaucoma, retinal detachment, retinal artery occlusion, giant cell arteritis, and optic neuritis 3
- Blurry vision can be a red flag for optic neuritis, which is an inflammatory disease of the optic nerve that can cause abrupt loss of vision 4, 5, 6
- Other red flags for blurry vision include:
- Ocular pain, headache, and nausea, which can be symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma 3
- A curtain-like visual field defect, which can be a symptom of retinal detachment 3
- Painless vision loss in patients with vascular risk factors, which can be a symptom of retinal artery occlusion 3
- Scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, proximal muscle and joint pain, constitutional symptoms, and elevated C-reactive protein level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and platelet count, which can be symptoms of giant cell arteritis 3
- It is essential to seek medical attention immediately if experiencing any of these red flags, as prompt treatment can help prevent further vision loss and improve outcomes 3, 7