What causes the appearance of raised or protruding text when looking at words with the eyes?

Jun 06, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Cui Xin

Introduction

The sensation of text appearing raised when viewed with the eyes may be caused by prolonged eye use, improper eyewear, or macular disease. Appropriate treatment should be based on the specific cause, as analyzed below: If the eyes are used for extended periods, the ocular muscles may become overly fatigued. During visual tasks, excessive tension in the surrounding muscles can affect normal refraction, potentially leading to the perception that text appears raised.

Seeing text appear raised or protruding may be caused by prolonged eye use, wearing unsuitable glasses, or macular disease. Appropriate treatment should be based on the specific cause. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Prolonged Eye Use

If eyes are used for extended periods, the ocular muscles may become overly fatigued. During visual tasks, excessive tension in the surrounding muscles can affect normal refraction, potentially causing the perception that text appears raised. It is recommended to rest the eyes by closing them and gently massaging the eye area to help relieve this condition.

2. Unsuitable Glasses

If a person with myopia wears glasses with incorrect prescription strength, the image of objects may fail to focus properly on the retina, leading to this symptom. It is advisable to visit a hospital for an accurate eye examination (refraction test) and obtain properly prescribed eyeglasses.

3. Macular Disease

This condition is primarily related to aging. As people age, eye structures gradually deteriorate due to oxidative damage to local tissues, sometimes accompanied by abnormal exudates, all of which can impair vision. Besides seeing distorted or raised text, patients may also experience symptoms such as metamorphopsia (visual distortion) and pale optic discs. Patients are advised to seek medical evaluation at a hospital, where surgical intervention may be used to remove or repair the affected tissue.

Besides the three causes mentioned above, other conditions such as hyperthyroidism, ocular tumors, or amblyopia (lazy eye) could also be responsible. Patients are encouraged to seek timely medical attention. Additionally, it is important to manage daily eye usage, avoid touching the eyes with hands directly, and maintain good eye hygiene to prevent bacterial infections and protect overall eye health.

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If you have only mild nasal discharge after a cold, without symptoms such as fever, frequent sneezing, or red and swollen eyes, and can strictly follow the OK lens care routine—thoroughly washing hands before handling lenses, cleaning the lenses with dedicated solution, and avoiding eye rubbing—short-term wear is generally not associated with serious problems. In such cases, the eyes are minimally affected, and proper lens care can reduce the risk of infection and maintain the effectiveness of the lenses.