Sudden Wavy Vision: Possible Causes To Consider

Sudden wavy vision is a common vision distortion where eyesight appears to waver, bend, or distort. It is one of a number of vision distortions that can affect a patient’s eye sight and prevent them from seeing normally.

Sudden wavy vision and other types of vision distortions don’t necessarily mean a patient has a serious eye condition. However, patients should be aware of the variety of conditions linked to sudden wavy vision so they can work with an eye care specialist to determine the cause and proper treatment.

Sudden wavy vision is a visual distortion where straight lines appear bent, curved, or wavy. This type of distortion can appear alarming as it often comes without warning. And patients experiencing sudden wavy vision may have difficulties completing everyday tasks like reading, driving, or recognizing faces.

Sudden wavy vision may affect one or both eyes. It often occurs in conjunction with other symptoms such as blurry vision, light sensitivity, and headaches.

There is no single source of sudden wavy vision. A number of conditions may cause a patient’s vision to blur or turn wavy.

These causes range in severity. In some cases sudden wavy vision may be the result of a relatively harmless refractive error like astigmatism. It may also be a symptom of a more serious medical condition like diabetes.

As the source of wavy vision can vary dramatically, it is vital that patients contact their eye doctor immediately if they begin to notice signs of this visual distortion.

Different medical conditions can cause sudden wavy vision. Some of these conditions include:

Macular degeneration is an eye disease that causes the deterioration of the macula—a central part of the retina, responsible for central vision. The macula helps the eyes notice fine details and allows us to read, recognize faces, and notice colors and contrasts.

During macular degeneration, cells in the macula deteriorate, leading to the gradual loss of central vision. When central vision deteriorates, patients have trouble seeing fine details from up close and afar, which can cause vision distortions like sudden wavy vision.

This refractive error occurs when the cornea of the eye is unevenly curved. A normal eye has a round shape similar to a baseball, whereas an eye with astigmatism has a curved shape more closely resembling a football.

This curvature alters the way light passes through and can cause blurry, distorted, or wavy vision. This makes it more difficult for light to pass through and causes vision problems at both close and long distances.

A retinal tear is when the retina has a hole in it and separates from its underlying tissue. If we imagine the retina as a piece of cloth, a tear would be like if the cloth began to tear away from its normal condition.

Retinal tears can seriously impact vision. If left untreated, they can lead to a retinal detachment—an eye care emergency where the retina is lifted from the back of the eye. Retinal tears and detachments can also cause symptoms like floaters, reduced peripheral vision, and sudden blurred or wavy vision.

Keratoconus is an eye condition that occurs when the cornea thins and changes shape over time. As the cornea begins to thin, it bulges outward, resembling a cone. This process can cause sudden wavy vision and a range of other symptoms including trouble seeing at night, eye irritation, and increased sensitivity to bright light.

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition in which the eye is not able to produce enough tears to sufficiently lubricate the eye. These tears, necessary for your eyes' health, are in charge of lubricating the eye, sweeping away foreign objects, and reducing the risk of infections.

Dry eye can cause a range of vision distortions including wavy vision, blurry vision, and light sensitivity.

Conjunctivitis (often called pink eye) is an eye infection associated with redness. Eye redness can be caused by a large variety of conditions, ranging from mild dryness and irritation to severe, vision-threatening diseases.

Symptoms include pink or red color in the eye, swelling or crust on the eyelid, and blurred or wavy vision.

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the retina’s blood vessels swell, leak, or close off, which can cause abnormal new blood vessels to develop on the retina. These damaged blood vessels can swell, leak, or close up and prevent blood from passing through.

This condition can cause symptoms like sudden wavy vision, floaters, and in serious cases vision loss.

Patients who experience sudden wavy vision should seek prompt medical attention. This is especially true if the sudden wavy vision occurs along with other symptoms which may indicate a more serious ocular or medical condition.

It is still important to seek help if the change in vision occurs more gradually. Wavy vision can interfere with everyday activities and may be indicative of a larger health problem. The sooner this is determined the sooner the patient can begin seeking treatment.

As a number of medical issues can cause sudden wavy vision, it’s important that an eye doctor diagnose the underlying condition. This diagnosis will help them determine the most reliable form of treatment.

Some tests the eye doctor may use for a diagnosis include:

Visual acuity test: Determines the patient's ability to see at various distances.

Refraction test: Determines refractive errors in the eyes. Can be used to detect issues such as astigmatism—a common refractive error that can lead to wavy vision.

Slit-lamp examination: Uses a specialized microscope to examine the front of the eyes to detect abnormalities.

Dilated eye exam: Dilating pupils to get a better view of the inside of eyes, including the retina and optic nerve.

Treatment for sudden wavy vision will depend on the underlying health condition that is causing the issue. In cases of refractive errors like nearsightedness and astigmatism a patient’s doctor may recommend prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct the error.

If a non-serious condition like pink or dry eye is the cause, the prescription will likely be eye drops or other medication.

If a more serious eye condition like retinopathy or macular degeneration is responsible, the doctor may recommend surgical treatment injections or laser treatments. The specific treatment plan will be tailored to the specific patient’s needs and the underlying cause or condition of their wavy vision.