What causes wavy vision?

There are several possible causes for wavy vision, often also called blurred vision or distortion:

1. Refractive Errors: Common vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism can cause blurry or distorted vision. These conditions occur when the shape of the eyeball or the curvature of the cornea does not properly focus light onto the retina, resulting in wavy or blurred images.

2. Dry Eyes: Inadequate tear production or poor tear quality can cause dry eyes, leading to temporary blurred or wavy vision. When the eyes are not sufficiently lubricated, the surface of the eye becomes dry and irregular, affecting the way light reaches the retina.

3. Corneal Problems: Conditions that affect the cornea, such as corneal abrasions, infections (keratitis), scarring, or corneal dystrophies, can distort vision, making things appear wavy or blurred.

4. Cataracts: Cataracts refer to the clouding of the eye's natural lens. As cataracts develop, they interfere with the passage of light, causing blurry, foggy, or wavy vision.

5. Macular Degeneration: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the central part of the retina (macula) responsible for sharp, detailed vision. AMD can manifest as distorted, wavy, or blurry vision in the affected eye.

6. Retinal Problems: Various retinal conditions, such as macular holes, retinal tears, or detachments, can result in wavy, distorted vision or the appearance of floaters and flashes in the visual field.

7. Optic Nerve Damage: Damage to the optic nerve from conditions like glaucoma, optic neuritis, or compression from brain tumors can disrupt the transmission of visual information to the brain, causing blurred or wavy vision.

8. Neurological Disorders: Certain neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, or brain tumors that affect the visual pathways can result in distorted, wavy, or double vision.

9. Diabetes: Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina, can lead to distorted or wavy vision as the retina swells and leaks fluid.

10. Medications: Some medications, particularly eye drops used to treat glaucoma, may cause temporary blurring or wavy vision as a side effect.

It's important to see an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam to determine the cause of your wavy vision and receive appropriate treatment. In many cases, wavy vision can be corrected with vision correction methods like glasses, contact lenses, or surgery, while other conditions may require specific treatments depending on the underlying cause.