These two terms refer to a condition of the eyes. Some of their signs and symptoms are similar or vary in degree.

Bad (Low) Vision

Low vision includes conditions of the eyes that do not respond to contact lenses, prescription spectacles, or surgery. It does not comprise complete blindness as there is a small degree of sight. People with bad eyesight can get some help from visual aids. Low vision ranges from poor night vision, blind spots, issues with glare, and almost complete loss of sight.

There are two categories of this condition: partial sight and legally blind. Partial is where a person’s visual acuity lies around 20/70 and 20/200. Legal blindness is 20/200 or worse. Their field of vision is barely 20 degrees wide.

Visual acuity refers to how clear you can see an object around 20 feet away. For instance, a 20/70 visual acuity means that you can sharply see 20 feet away. A person with normal vision, on the other hand, can see the same object clearly from 70 feet away.

Causes of Bad Vision

Low vision may result from injuries or disorders like diabetes that affect your eyes. Other common causes include glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Genetic eye conditions like retinitis pigmentosa can also cause this condition. Albinism, brain injuries, and eye cancer have a history of causing this.

Blurry Vision

Blurry vision refers to the failure to see objects in fine detail. The condition may stem from anomalies such as farsightedness, myopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia. Unlike low vision, you can receive help through corrective lenses.

Blurry vision can occur in one eye or both, depending on the cause. It can be a symptom of several underlying conditions that do not directly involve your eyes. They include migraines or stroke. Some medications have side effects that can temporarily blur your vision.

Symptoms of Blurry Vision

Symptoms of this condition sometimes depend on their root cause. They include headaches, irritation, redness of the eyes, or sensitivity to light.

Causes

Blurry vision can increase over time due to some bad habits. They include:
 

Poor Diet

Taking care of what you eat goes a long way in affecting your eyesight. A good meal should include essential vitamins, proteins, and carbohydrates. Some foods beneficial to your eyes include green leafy vegetables, seafood, nuts, and eggs. Another helpful tip is to have enough water intake. Insufficient water intake leads to dehydration which can cause puffy red eyes and irritation.

According to medical experts, males require about 15.5 cups of water a day while females need around 11.5 cups. Check the color of your urine to estimate the level of dehydration. Light yellow means that your intake is enough, while clear urine indicates over-hydration.

Insomnia

Lack of enough sleep is among the significant factors that affect your vision. Many people tend to overlook this point. You need between six to eight hours of sleep every day. When sleeping, your eyes have the luxury of continuous lubrication.

Blurry and bad visions are conditions that can benefit from regular eye exams.

For more on the difference between blurry vision and bad vision, visit Optical Masters at our offices in Denver, Colorado. You can also call (720) 807-7600 or (720) 807-7300 to book an appointment today.