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What Causes Blurred Vision Associated With Vertigo?

Posted on Mon, 12 May 2014

Question: Hi, I am an 59 old man, 178 cm hight/ 86 kg from Slovakia. I used to use play tennis each day for 2 hours / 40 years. But now I got blurred vision when I play tennis for 20 minutes only. I was by eye / head / neurolog doctors, nobody can tell me reason. I wear glasses for 40 years. Left eye -3,0 / -0,5 right. When I am working behind PC or watching TV movies without moving may body I never got blurry vision. The blurred vision is like when I drank approx.0,3 liter of wine. I have done head MRI 2 times in last 6 months+ X-ray of the cervical spine, everything OK, without any diagnosis from my neurolog. The same by my eye doctors,no cataract,no glaucoma, no high eye pressure. Can you help me, please? I would like to play tennis normal, without blurred vision, when is possible or when you can give me right information what to do. I drink water + tea 2,0-3,0 liters per day,so I do not feel medehydrated + I use 3 times per week to visit fitnes centrum, I feel me in good condition in last years ,too.... Thanks XXXX

Answered by Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Must rule out problems with Inner Ear & Heart Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic. I am so sorry to hear about your vision issues. From what you have described here though. It seems as though you have average vision and all the tests you have done so far do not show the cause of the episodes of blurriness. I have two avenues of diagnosis that I would like us to look at. Two possible theories that might cause your symptoms. Based on these theories, I will ask you a set of questions. Once I get those answers, we will be able to see if any of them is the truth and then we ca formulate a plan. Theory 1: Blurred vision is associated with vertigo and the problem lies in the inner ear. The inner ear is part of the system that we use to keep our balance. If the inner ear is irritated or not working well... the patient tends to have dizziness (like the room is spinning) and blurred vision. Q) Are your blurry spells also associated with any dizziness or shakiness? Q) Do the blurry spells only happen at the computer and while playing or do they occur randomly? Have you seen any patterns on when they strike? Theory 2: Blurred vision is associated with fainting spells and problem lies in the blood vessels to the brain. The carotid arteries are good vessels which allow blood to the brain, if they get blocked even slightly or if the heart is unable to push blood through them then the patient will have blurry vision and may even faint. Q) Has the blurriness of your vision ever made you fall from a standing position? Q) Do you have any heart issues or other medical conditions? The more information you give me the better I can do to finding out what is wrong. Vinay

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (36 minutes later)

Dear Mr. XXXXXXX many thanks for quickly answer. Regarding yours 2 theories I will send you more details: 1.Theorie Q) Are your blurry spells also associated with any dizziness or shakiness? Answer: a little dizzines yes,but never shakiness Q) Do the blurry spells only happen at the computer and while playing or do they occur randomly? Have you seen any patterns on when they strike? Answer: Sorry for my english, but I never got blurred vision by working on computer, only when I am running/playing tennis with neck spin (left/right-up/down) Rem.: 1.Theorie - the inner ear is part of the system that we use to keep our balance is maybe my problem, because blurred vision is comming with balance, I can not go straight follow a line exactly... 2.Theorie Q) Has the blurriness of your vision ever made you fall from a standing position? Answer: No, I never got it in this case Q) Do you have any heart issues or other medical conditions? Answer: I have EKG 1 week old, I can send you a copy of it. Can you give me your email addres,pls.? Regarding others medical conditions: Blut pressure 120/70-70 pulse,cholesterol 5,0-6,0 mmmol/l, Triglicerol 2,2. Kind Regards XXXX

Answered by Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Upload the EKG when you have the time Detailed Answer: Ok. Based on your responses I am fairly confident that your problem is in your middle ear. There are many different causes of inner ear irritation, including infections and blood pressure issues. So theorising all of them would not be useful. Instead, what I suggest is that you see an ENT doctor as soon as you can. they will get to the bottom of the problem. I will be happy to double check your EKG when you want me to. I don't think it will show anything bad, but for completeness sake, upload it when you have a chance and I will get back to you. More importantly, go see an ENT and let me know how it goes! Hope this helps, Vinay

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (10 minutes later)

Dear Mr XXXXXXX thanks again for quickly answer, I will visit may ENT doctor ASAP. Rem.: I sent you my EKG 30 minutes ago, did you see anything wrong on it,pls? Regards XXXX

Answered by Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer: I am very sorry, call customer support Detailed Answer: I think you need to call our customer support line or send them an email. Because I never got an EKG from you. Can you try and upload again?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar