Dim vision can be caused by an assortment of eye conditions, and patients should seek treatment if they notice dimming in their visual field. It can be a sign of an acute ocular condition that needs immediate treatment. An ophthalmologist can examine the patient, determine the cause, and recommend some treatments to address it. Patients with a history of vision problems should make sure their doctors know about it when they seek care for dimmer than normal vision.
Sometimes the issue is infection or inflammation in the eye and around the optic nerve. Inflammation of the eyelids and neighboring structures can also cause dim vision, as can a foreign body in the eye. The patient may also notice eye pain, headaches, and a discharge from the eye in these cases. Blurred vision can also occur, and sometimes swelling narrows the eyes to slits and makes it hard to see.