How will your healthcare provider find out why your vision is blurry?
To find out why your vision is blurry, a provider will ask you questions, such as:
- Do you have any other illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia or lupus?
- Can you describe what you mean when you say your vision is blurry?
- Do you have any other symptoms? These include things that are vision-related, like eye floaters, or other physical signs and symptoms that may be related to a certain disease or condition.
- Did you have an injury from an event like a fall?
- Are you taking any kinds of medications that can affect vision, like steroids?
Your healthcare provider will do an eye exam and may do a physical exam. They may also suggest additional testing.
What are the most common causes of blurred vision that gets worse over time?
Blurry vision is a common symptom with many potential causes, including very common ones like refractive errors and dry eyes. Here are just some of the possible causes:
Refractive errors that cause blurred vision
A refractive error is a disorder that happens when the eyes can’t focus images correctly. The term includes these conditions: astigmatism, farsightedness and nearsightedness. You can often correct these conditions with eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery. Refractive errors are the most common cause of blurred vision.
Dry eye syndrome that causes blurred vision
Another common cause of blurred vision is dry eyes. You could have dry eyes if your vision improves when you blink. Dry eye syndrome can cause what seems to be a film. The syndrome may also cause itching, redness and pain. Treatment will include the use of artificial tears.
Age-related macular degeneration that causes blurred vision
Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in older Americans. The condition affects your central vision so that you can’t see what is directly in front of you. It can affect one or both eyes.
Diabetic retinopathy that causes blurred vision
Diabetic retinopathy can affect anyone who has diabetes. The condition can reduce your vision even to the point of blindness. It weakens the blood vessels in your retina.
Glaucoma that causes blurred vision
With glaucoma, fluid build-up in the eye puts pressure on the optic nerve. The damage to the optic nerve can lead to partial vision loss or blindness.
Cataracts that cause blurred vision
Eyes develop cataracts when the lenses become clouded and opaque (hard to see through). You can develop a cataract on one or both eyes. You can have blurry vision and loss of contrast. You may see halos around lights when it’s dark.
Optic neuritis that causes blurred vision
Optic neuritis refers to inflammation (swelling) and irritation of the optic nerve. It can happen on its own or as a result of another condition, including multiple sclerosis. Optic neuritis is most common in one eye, but can happen in both.
Inherited optic nerve disorders that cause blurred vision
Some genetic disorders cause damage to the optic nerve. This is a less common reason for blurry eyesight than cataracts or refractive errors.
Scars on the cornea that cause blurred vision
A deficiency in vitamin A can cause these scars. This situation happens mostly in less developed regions of the world.
What causes blurred vision to begin suddenly?
While blurred vision often gets worse gradually, there are conditions that may cause blurring to start up suddenly. These types of conditions can be medical emergencies and include:
You should get medical help immediately if your vision gets blurry quickly and/or if you have sudden vision loss.
FAQs
Blurred vision can be caused by eye conditions, medical conditions or it may be a side effect of certain medicines. Eye conditions that can cause blurred vision include: refractive errors (eye problems that affect your eyes ability to focus light) such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, presbyopia or astigmatism.
What is the most common cause of blurred vision? ›
Blurred vision can be caused by eye conditions, medical conditions or it may be a side effect of certain medicines. Eye conditions that can cause blurred vision include: refractive errors (eye problems that affect your eyes ability to focus light) such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, presbyopia or astigmatism.
Why does my blurry vision come and go? ›
A patient may have blurred vision that comes and goes, or any number of other vision irregularities. Fluctuating vision may be a sign of diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure), which are chronic conditions that can damage the blood vessels in the retina.
What deficiency causes blurry vision? ›
Vitamin B1 deficiency will cause toxic optic neuropathy and can cause blurred vision. Vitamin B2, B3 and B6 deficiencies will lead to eye infections and dry eyes. Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause retinal bleeding and nerve tissue damage and can lead to permanent vision loss.
What organ causes blurry vision? ›
About the optic nerve
Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve that causes blurred, grey and dim vision. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the inflammation. Optic neuritis can occur at any age, but people in their 30s are most commonly affected.
Why is my eyesight suddenly blurry? ›
You should go to an emergency room if you have any sudden onset of blurred vision or loss of vision. This is especially true if you've been injured or if you have any other symptoms of stroke, such as difficulty speaking or moving.
Can dehydration cause blurry vision? ›
A. Yes, because when you're dehydrated, your body produces fewer tears, resulting in dry eyes. Without sufficient tears, your eyes can become irritated and your vision may become blurry. An eye doctor can recommend special eye drops or other treatments to alleviate some of the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eye.
Can blurry vision heal on its own? ›
Most people will experience blurred vision at some point during their lifetime. In many cases, it will be temporary and will resolve itself without the need for any significant treatment. However, some people will need assistance to restore the clarity of their sight.
What can I drink for blurry vision? ›
Broccoli, Spinach, and Kale Juice
This combination contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which according to the American Optometric Association, “filters harmful high-energy blue wavelengths of light and help protect and maintain healthy cells in the eyes.”
What are the best eye drops for blurry vision? ›
Vuity is the first and only FDA- approved prescription eye drop to treat age-related blurry vision. The eye drops work by stimulating muscle contraction in the iris, the colored part of the eye that surrounds your pupil.
Blurred vision could be a sign of hypertensive retinopathy. High blood pressure can push fluid out of the blood vessels and into the eye's tissues, building up around the optic nerve and retina. This leakage can impact vision, causing blurred vision and other eyesight changes, like wavy or double vision.
Can stress cause blurred vision? ›
Stress could be the reason that your vision is blurry. High adrenaline levels can increase pressure on the eyes, causing blurry vision, according to All About Vision.
Should I be worried if my vision gets blurry? ›
You should go to an emergency room immediately if you suddenly experience blurry vision. Some instances of blurry vision — such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or carbon monoxide poisoning — are medical emergencies that should be treated as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage.
When should I go to the ER for blurred vision? ›
You should go to an emergency room if you have any sudden onset of blurred vision or loss of vision. This is especially true if you've been injured or if you have any other symptoms of stroke, such as difficulty speaking or moving.
Is blurred vision always serious? ›
Not all causes of sudden blurry vision need urgent medical treatment. However, if a person with sudden blurry vision thinks they may be having a stroke, is experiencing severe eye pain, or thinks they may have a detached retina, they should call 911 or go to their nearest emergency room.
