Decreased visual acuity in the eye

Decreased visual acuity in the eye refers to a reduction in the sharpness or clarity of vision. This symptom means that objects may appear blurry, out of focus, or less detailed than usual, making tasks such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces more difficult. Decreased visual acuity can result from various underlying causes, including:

• Refractive Errors: Conditions such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism that are correctable with glasses or contact lenses.
• Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s lens, leading to progressively blurred vision.
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): A condition affecting the central part of the retina, causing loss of central vision.
• Glaucoma: Increased pressure in the eye can damage the optic nerve, affecting peripheral and eventually central vision.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: Damage to the retina’s blood vessels due to diabetes, leading to vision impairment.
• Vitamin A Deficiency: Can lead to night blindness and, in severe cases, more generalized visual impairments.
• Infections or Injuries: Conditions such as corneal infections or physical trauma to the eye that can affect visual acuity.
• Retinal Disorders: Various other disorders affecting the retina can also lead to decreased visual acuity.

Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology