Sudden blurry vision

My dad is 79. He said he can only see a blur out of his left eye. His pupil is open and uneven in shape. He has had cataract surgery 4 or 5 years ago in both eyes. He said this happened this morning when he woke up.

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear gomicego,

Any sudden change in vision and pupil size warrants a complete eye examination immediately.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[yarrow]

I can't quite tell if you are saying that your dad's pupils are not the same size or that one is kind of funny looking.  In any case, if it were my dad, I'd get him to the ER about three hours ago to have him checked out.  He might have had a stroke, and fast treatment is important in stroke.

[gomicego]

No he did not have a stroke. We are well aware of those signs, and he does not exhibit any of the classic signs. The right pupil reacts to light and works like it is supposed to. the left one is open and does not react to the light. He said his vision was blurry straight down the left side. Either way he is going to the doctors as soon as they open in the morning. And yes my choice was for him to go to the ER this afternoon when he told me about it.

[yarrow]

I understand that too often our parents resist going to the ER.  Been there, alas.  Good luck with your dad.