Why am I suddenly having trouble reading?
February 10, 2024 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Andreas Wagner
Dear ophthalmologist,
My name is Lina Schottmann and I am reaching out to you because I have suddenly been experiencing difficulties with reading and I am not sure what the cause could be. I am 45 years old and have never had any issues with reading books, newspapers, or even small texts on my phone before. However, for the past two weeks, I have noticed that letters appear blurry, my eyes get tired quickly, and I have to re-read lines more often to understand the content.
I do not wear glasses and have not had any eye problems before. I work a lot on the computer and therefore spend a lot of time in front of screens. In my free time, I enjoy reading books and watching series on my tablet. I regularly do eye exercises to relax my eyes, but the reading problems persist.
These sudden difficulties are causing me concern and are affecting my daily activities. I am wondering if it could be due to eye strain, a vision disorder, or even a serious health issue. Therefore, I would like to ask you why I am suddenly having trouble reading and if there are possible solutions to improve my visual difficulties.
I look forward to your assessment and any recommendations.
Best regards,
Lina Schottmann
Dear Mrs. Schottmann,
Thank you for your message and for trusting in my expertise as an ophthalmologist. It is understandable that sudden vision problems such as blurred letters and rapid eye fatigue can cause concern, especially if you have not had any previous issues with your vision. It is important to take these symptoms seriously and undergo a thorough examination to identify the cause of your vision problems.
Based on your descriptions and your activities on the computer and with mobile devices, it is possible that your vision problems are due to eye strain from prolonged screen time. The so-called Computer Vision Syndrome can lead to symptoms such as blurred vision, dry eyes, headaches, and fatigue. These symptoms can be improved by taking regular breaks, doing eye exercises, and making ergonomic adjustments in the workplace.
It is also possible that you have developed an uncorrected vision problem such as nearsightedness or farsightedness that has only manifested in adulthood. In this case, a detailed eye examination including a visual acuity test and an assessment of intraocular pressure would be necessary to recommend an appropriate correction in the form of glasses or contact lenses.
It is also important to rule out other possible causes for your vision problems, such as eye diseases like glaucoma or cataracts, which can also lead to vision disturbances. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive examination and an accurate diagnosis.
In the meantime, you can try to relieve your eyes by taking regular breaks during screen work, ensuring adequate lighting when reading, and wearing computer glasses. If the symptoms persist or worsen, do not hesitate to seek professional help.
I hope that my response has been helpful to you and I am available for any further questions.
Sincerely,
Andreas Wagner, Ophthalmologist
