Diagnostic Tests for Blurred vision

Diagnostic Test list for Blurred vision:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Blurred vision includes:

• Physical examination
  • Blood pressure - high blood pressure increases risk of carotid artery insufficiency, hypertensive retinopathy, papilledema and stroke.
  • Visual acuity - in both eyes and with and without glasses (if worn) to determine any refractive error.
  • Visual field testing - to detect either a contraction (a local or general reduction in the area of field) or a scotoma (an island of loss within the field). Use Confrontation testing, Perimetry testing and Central field testing. Mapping the visual field defect can help determine cause. E.g. glaucoma, pituitary tumor, toxic causes such as methyl alcohol.
  • Examination of pupils and the pupil reflexes
  • Ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp examination - to examine the optic nerve, macula and retina and assist in diagnosis of cataracts, iritis, keratitis, glaucoma, retinitis, foreign bodies, detached retina. Specifically look for papilledema (swelling of the optic nerve) which suggests optic neuritis.
  • Ocular motility testing
  • Measure intraocular pressure (tonometry) - to detect glaucoma.
  • Full neurological examination - if abnormalities other than eye pathology are found on examination may suggest multiple sclerosis, carotid artery thrombosis or insufficiency, basilar artery thrombosis or insufficiency, pseudotumor cerebri; if neurological examination is normal may suggest posterior cerebral artery thrombosis, hereditary optic atrophy, early pituitary tumor, tobacco or alcohol poisoning.
  • CT Brain and/or MRI Brain (if neurological abnormalities are present) to detect stroke, optic nerve lesion, brain tumors
  • Carotid artery ultrasound - to detect atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries.
  • Visually evoked potential (VEP) studies and/or spinal fluid analysis (if neurological abnormalities are present) to detect demyelinating disorders e.g. multiple sclerosis
• Blood tests
  • If suspect pituitary tumor test prolactin, testosterone (in males), LH, FSH, TSH, thyroxine, cortisol
  • Toxicology screen - if indicated by history.
  • Blood sugar to diagnose diabetes - high blood sugar can swell the lens and cause reversible blurriness. Diabetes also increases the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Blurred vision:

• Vision & Eye Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Eye Tests
  • Home Vision Tests