3 Possible Reasons Behind Fluctuations In Eye Power

Have you experienced frequent eye power fluctuations (rapid changes from a few days to a few weeks) that required you to repeatedly switch out your prescription glasses, or have you encountered friends, family, or other acquaintances for whom this has transpired? We will discuss this today because it maybe a cause for concern.

Fluctuating vision may be a sign of diabetes or hypertension which are chronic condition that can damage the blood vessels in the retina. Any damage to the retina can cause permanent vision loss and so, a patient with fluctuating vision should seek immediate medical attention.

Please Note : Our subject is to cover fluctuations in eye power and possible reasons behind it. We will not cover topics like Cataract and Glaucoma which is mostly attributed to deterioration of the eye.

Three most common causes of fluctuating vision are :

1. Diabetes

2. Fuch’s Endothelial Dystrophy

3. Dry Eye

Diabetes

With increased blood sugar levels usually the crystalline lens is affected and it grows larger, which causes blurring of vision and once the blood sugar levels goes back to the normal, the lens becomes normal. Diabetes also causes water retention in the retina (Macular Edema), all these factors lead to fluctuations in the vision.

Treatment for such is as follows :

• Controlled blood sugar levels

• Performing frequent blood sugar test

• Regular annual eye examination to be done, as the vision deteriorates at the later stage and leads to irreversible vision loss
  

Fuch’s Endothelial Dystrophy

While Fuch’s Corneal Dystrophy is an eye condition that can cause fluctuating vision by causing swelling in the front clear windshield of the eye, called the cornea. The cornea has to have a very specific amount of water within it to remain clear. If it has too much it becomes swollen and cloudy. ( it’s like looking through frosted glass instead of crystal clear glass). The cells in the cornea that maintain this perfect balance are called endothelial cells, and Fuch’s Corneal Dystrophy causes a decreased number of them, resulting in corneal swelling. Patients with Fuch’s dystrophy will often notice that they see clearly during part of the day and not so clearly at other times. Not always, but often, patients will have blurry vision in the morning that improves throughout the day.

Symptoms include:

• Reduced contrast sensitivity

• Mild reduction in visual acuity

• Patient often notice glare around light

• Difficulty in night driving

Clinical diagnoses are based on history and the slit lamp examination done by Optometrists/Ophthalmologists.

Treatment: medical and surgical treatment to restore stability of vision

Dry Eye

In a healthy eye there are mainly 3 layers that coats the surface of the eye (the tear film );

• Mucin

• Aqueous

• Lipid

When there is alteration/ fluctuation with tear film patient experience itching, dryness, redness, irritation, photophobia, vision fluctuation and blurred vision due to break in tear film.

Causes of Dry Eye:

• Reduced blink rate

• More of near work

• More time spent on gadgets

• Working under AC condition

• Hormonal imbalance

Clinical diagnoses are based on history and slit lamp examination done by the Optometrists/Ophthalmologists.

Treatment:

• Regular conscious blinking

• Taking breaks in between while using gadgets

• Prescribed lubricating drops to avoid dryness

• Frame to protect the eyes from excessive wind or dust

• Tear duct plug – A device used to block tear duct in the eye to keep the eye moist