Blurred vision after focusing for a period of time

[JeannePete]

About 3 weeks ago while driving I felt a sharp, unfamiliar pain in my right eye. It was so unusual that I thought surely something would result from the pain. Nothing happened, though, so I forgot about it. Three or four days later I noticed that if I read or focused my eyes on anything small, my vision blurs. It stays blurry for ten minutes or more after I stop focusing. I am reading a lot of academic journals right now for a project, and have to stop quite often because I just can't focus my eyes. I feel a dull, tired kind of pain in my right eye, along with the blurriness, after reading for a few hours. All of this is very unusual for me. I have poor vision, but wear glasses. I am 54 years old. Is this something I need to have checked out, or is it "normal" for someone of my age?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Not normal. Have it checked out by board-certified ophthalmologist.  You could have an eye condition like cataracts or dry eyes or could need a new glasses prescription.

MJK MD

[JeannePete]

Thanks. That's just what I needed to know.