Significant Decline in Vision Over Recent Months in One Eye
I recently visited an ophthalmologist after being referred by urgent care due to ongoing styes in my right eye. Over the last three to four months, I have experienced persistent pain and blurred vision in that same eye. During the examination, it was revealed that my visual acuity had deteriorated from 20/20 to 20/50 during this period. The medical team expressed concern upon noticing this change and brought it to the doctor's attention. The ophthalmologist noted that a small chalazion could be exerting pressure on the eyeball and suggested that I might only need corrective lenses. I shared that the vision problems began well before this recent stye, which has only been present for about a week and hasn’t improved with a course of erythromycin ointment, leading me to doubt any connection between the two issues. As an emergency department nurse, I'm trained to consider sudden changes in vision as potentially serious, and I felt the ophthalmologist was somewhat dismissive of my concerns. I’ve since scheduled an appointment with an optometrist to obtain a retinal scan, while the ophthalmologist prescribed a steroid eye drop for treatment. Was her assessment appropriate? My eye continues to be quite painful, and though they didn’t mention it, I assume the internal eye pressure was normal. Additionally, I am a generally healthy 24-year-old female without medication, and my family has a history of dry eye syndrome and ocular rosacea, adding to my worries.
Answers (1)
3/27/2025, 4:00:59 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you've experienced significant changes in your vision and comfort, which can be concerning. Let's break this down: your blurred vision and pain in the right eye, which have progressed over several months, coupled with your medical history and genetic predisposition, warrant careful attention.
Explanation:
- Decline in Vision: A decrease from 20/20 to 20/50 is notable, especially over a short time frame. Presbyopia (age-related vision changes), refractive errors, or deeper issues like retinal problems or optic nerve issues could be potential causes.
- Styes and Chalazion: While styes can cause discomfort and can sometimes be associated with vision changes, a chalazion typically causes localized swelling rather than significant visual impairment. The presence of pain and blurred vision suggests a more complex issue.
- Pain and Internal Eye Pressure: Persistent eye pain is not normal and could indicate inflammation, a potential infection, or a more serious eye condition. It’s a common practice to assess intraocular pressure, especially in patients with eye pain or vision changes.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Pay attention to any changes in vision, pain levels, or new symptoms such as light flashes or floaters. Keep a journal of these symptoms.
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Use Prescribed Treatment: Continue to use the steroid eye drops as prescribed by your ophthalmologist. Steroids can help reduce inflammation that may be affecting your vision.
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Stay Hydrated and Practice Eye Hygiene: Proper hydration can support overall eye health, and maintaining eyelid hygiene (cleaning eyelids and lashes) can help manage styes and potential infections.
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Follow-Up with the Optometrist: You've already scheduled this critical step for a retinal scan. It’s essential to follow through with this appointment to evaluate the underlying structures of your eye thoroughly.
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Consider Secondary Evaluation: If your symptoms worsen or do not improve with current treatments, consider seeking a second opinion from a different ophthalmologist, especially one specializing in retinal health.
Your concerns are valid, especially given your background as a nurse, and it's important that you feel supported and heard in any assessments made. If the pain persists or worsens, don't hesitate to seek immediate evaluation.
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