Causes of Blurry Vision
The first step is to figure out what’s causing your blurred vision. Blurry vision causes can range from simple eye strain to serious eye conditions, so we always recommend scheduling an appointment with a professional to discuss what’s going on.
Eye Conditions
A variety of eye conditions can cause blurry vision — some are related to age, while others are genetic or caused by environmental factors. Let’s take a closer look at eye conditions that could cause blurry vision.
Refractive Errors
Refractive errors, including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism, occur when the eye cannot focus light correctly on the retina. They’re the most common type of vision problem. Symptoms other than blurry vision might include headaches and eye strain.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes blurry or dark spots in the central part of the retina, which is responsible for sharp vision.
Dry AMD occurs when macular cells break down, causing gradual vision loss. Wet AMD involves abnormal blood vessels leaking fluid or blood into the macula, leading to rapid and severe vision loss.
Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the eye's lens becomes cloudy. Your vision may appear foggy or dim, and colors may seem faded. This condition is often age-related but can also result from injury, certain medications, or medical conditions like diabetes. Other symptoms include glare or halos around lights and difficulty seeing at night.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma damages your optic nerves, often due to increased pressure in the eye. This damage can lead to gradual vision loss, starting with the peripheral vision and eventually affecting the central vision. Open-angle glaucoma progresses slowly, while acute angle-closure glaucoma can cause sudden blurred vision, severe eye pain, headaches, and nausea.
Dry Eye
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. Things like aging, environmental conditions, prolonged screen use, and certain medications can contribute to dry eye. In addition to blurry vision, symptoms can include a gritty or burning sensation, redness, sensitivity to light, and fluctuating vision.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause blurry vision when your blood sugar levels are high for a prolonged amount of time. This causes the lenses of your eyes to swell, and they become unable to focus. If this happens a lot over time, it can damage the blood vessels in the retina. This is known as diabetic retinopathy, and it can eventually lead to permanent vision loss.
If you’re experiencing other symptoms of diabetes in addition to blurred vision, like extreme hunger and thirst, fatigue, or numbness and tingling in your hands and feet, you should see your doctor right away.
Migraines
Migraines are severe headaches that are often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, and changes in vision, known as auras. Visual auras usually happen before the onset of a migraine and can include flashing lights, zigzag patterns, temporary blind spots, and blurry vision.
A doctor can help you figure out if your blurry vision is due to migraines and create a plan to manage your symptoms.
Pregnancy
Blurry vision during pregnancy is often the result of hormones causing fluid retention in the eyes, which increases the pressure. Hormonal changes can also cause dry eye, leading to blurry vision. These symptoms are normal and temporary.
However, conditions like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia (high blood pressure) can cause more serious vision issues. You should always tell your doctor about any changes in your vision when you’re pregnant.
Allergies
When someone with allergies is exposed to things like pollen, dust, or pet dander, the body releases histamines, which cause inflammation. This reaction interferes with normal tear production, leading to dry, itchy eyes and blurry vision. If you also have symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or a runny, nose, allergies could be the culprit.
Allergies can often be managed at home, but in severe cases, you might want to consult an allergist or ophthalmologist.
Digital Eye Strain
Staring at your computer or digital devices for a prolonged amount of time can cause blurry vision, in addition to other symptoms like headaches and eye fatigue. Digital eye strain is common in people who work from home or participate in remote learning, but it can also happen if you stare at the TV or even your phone for a long period of time.
You can help alleviate the effects of computer eye strain by wearing computer glasses prescribed by your eye doctor.
Eye Surgery
Blurry vision after cataract surgery, LASIK, or implantable contact lens surgery is common as your eyes heal and adjust. You might also experience itching, burning, and other discomfort, as well as decreased night vision. These symptoms should go away once the healing process is complete, but if you’re concerned, talk to your doctor.
Following instructions, using prescribed eye drops, and attending follow-up appointments can help you recover more quickly.
