Left eye seeing everything blurry all of a sudden

[Lifted]

Had an eye exam a year or so ago and doc said I basically had 20/20.

Yesterday or today I realized I can't read the computer screen with my left eye. If I cover my left eye, just 2 feet from the monitor, right eye is totally clear. If I cover my right eye, everything is a blurry mess, with a ghost image a bit up and to the right. Looking at paper is not as bad as a computer monitor, but it's definitely not as bright and is blurry at only a few feet while 100% crystal clear in my right eye.

I'm not sure how long it's been like this, but I think I would have noticed if it was more than a few days. What could cause this?

*out of the country and won't be back for a week, so while I can get to a doctor or hospital, I'd rather not bother until I'm back unless somebody thinks it could require immediate attention.

 

[highland145]

No idea but 20/20 a year ago and now this. Might want to try and find an optometrist where your are. And try and contact your regular one.

 

[Viper GTS]

If you think it's changed suddenly (as in a few days ago you know it was fine) then I would get to a doctor - sudden changes are bad. If it's been a gradual thing that you just now noticed then it's probably less sensitive.

I would get to a doctor to get an idea what is going on, better an expensive /inconvenient visit than losing an eye. If it's something slow moving then you can wait for treatment.

Viper GTS

 

[pauldun170]

Stroke,
Diabetes
or maybe you just have a bacterial infection screwing around with yer optics.
Did you rinse your eye out to make sure its clear of gunk?

Have you reached out in front of you to insure that noone is placing a dirty glass in front of your left eye? Gremlins can be mean little bastards.

 

[MrA79]

Could just be an eye infection. Had something similar happen awhile back, doc did the light-shine and saw it right away. Antibiotic eye drops cleared it right up.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Lifted, I've spent more time in opthos and retinal surgeon offices over the course of the last 2 years than anywhere else. I got hit in the side of my face resulting a post vitereous detachment (the gel in your eye peeling off the retina), causing a lot of floaters. After seeing a million surgeons from northern CA to San Diego to Arizona, I've learned two truths about the eye: (1) sudden changes in vision are never good and (2) the success of restoring vision is most heavily based on early detection of whatever is causing the issue.

I know people who have had detached retina as a result of the surgery I had and their vision was restored to 20/20 because they went to the doc when the condition was at a partial detachment.

I can't stress this enough: drop what you are doing and go to the doctor.

 

[interchange]

Get to an ophthalmologist ASAP. This is very concerning story. Unilateral vision changes need urgent evaluation and can be something such as optic neuritis or amaurosis fugax. Doesn't sound like closed angle glaucoma (pain/headache expected) or retinal detachment (usually light flashes, floaters, color change). You don't want to sit on an acute vision change though, because you have the potential for permanent vision loss.

 

[Azraele]

Get is checked asap. It could be anything, from infection to MS. Not something you want to wait and see on.

 

[Dude111]

Try taking alot of Vit C tablets (One a day or so) and hopefully things will improve for ya!

I hope your eye is ok buddy

 

[Ketchup]

I have pretty bad vision in my left eye, but I can still read a computer screen from normal distance. My right eye is about normal. Funny thing about the body is it will automatically adjust to the best-working eye, so if you are not consciously switching eyes, it is possible your eye had something going on before you noticed.

But, it is impossible to know for sure, so I would see a doctor. Are you back in the states yet?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Try taking alot of Vit C tablets (One a day or so) and hopefully things will improve for ya!

I hope your eye is ok buddy

What are you doing? You're suggesting vitamin C for recovery from muscular injuries, eye pathology... Vitamin C is not a panacea and is not linked with recovery from either.

 

[nickbits]

I came to say optic neuritis but it has already been mentioned... Good luck op

 

[Lifted]

Forgot to update the thread... thanks for reminding me highland.

Anyway, I called my insruance company to find out about coverage and options while in Asia. They were closed at the time so I called the 24 hour nurse hotline to see if they would be of any help, and possibly know if I was covered to just walk into any hospital. The nurse went over my symptoms with me, asked me a few questions about peripheral vision, pain when touching the eye, bright light, etc., and she said definitely wasn't a detached retina. She did suggest going to a hospital anyway since it's my freakin eyes.

I was able to call the insurance company later that day as I was out and they only have an 800 number, so I couldn't use my cell to call them (attention large companies... get a non toll-free number for international callers, especially if you're in the fucking health insurance business!) and had to wait to get back and use my laptop to call them via gmail. In the meantime I stopped taking my prescription meds, drinking, and smoking, and my vision cleared up a bit by the next morning.

It's still not 100% (maybe 90%), and I'm going to make an appointment with the optometrist, but I think this was due to either too much alcohol every day for over a week straight, or my prescription meds, or dehydration, or some combination of those. I'll bring it all up with the doc when I go in for the tests.

 

[Ketchup]

Good, glad it's noting major. Hopefully you can get something more specific with your doctor.