Blurry Vision

Blurry vision happens when you can’t see things clearly. It means your vision isn’t sharp and crisp.

Lots of issues and conditions can cause blurred vision. It’s the most common symptom people report to their healthcare providers and eye doctors.

Everyone’s had blurred vision one time or another. But don’t ignore it. Some causes are more serious than others. Sometimes, squinting will help you focus. But that’s not a long-term solution. Visit your provider or an eye doctor to get it diagnosed so you know for sure what’s causing it.

What causes blurry vision?

Most people have blurry vision that develops slowly and becomes more noticeable over time. Some of the most common causes include:

• Refractive errors: These are common vision issues, like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. They’re the most common cause of blurred vision.
• Dry eye: Having dry eyes can be a temporary symptom or an ongoing issue that another condition causes.
• Macular degeneration: This is a common cause of vision changes in adults over 50.
• Diabetes-related retinopathy: Diabetes can damage blood vessels in your retina and affect your vision.
• Glaucoma: This happens when extra pressure in your eye damages your optic nerve.
• Cataracts: Cataracts make the lens in your eye cloudy. This can make your vision blurry.
• Optic neuritis: Inflammation in your optic nerve can damage it and affect your vision.
• Medication side effects: It’s less common, but some drugs can cause blurred vision. Talk to your healthcare provider about side effects and what to look out for when you’re starting a new medication.
• Genetic eye disorders: Genetic changes can lead to conditions that affect your eyes and vision.

It can be a sign of an injury or another serious condition if you develop blurred vision suddenly. Examples include:

• Bleeding in your eye
• Concussions
• Detached retinas
• Eye injuries
• Migraines
• Strokes or a transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Sudden high blood pressure

Some of these causes are medical emergencies. Go to the emergency room or get medical help right away if your vision suddenly gets blurry or worse.

How is blurry vision treated?

It depends on what’s causing it. Your healthcare provider or eye doctor will suggest ways to treat the cause and restore your vision.

Some treatments are simple. For example, you might need glasses or contact lenses to correct a refractive error. Or your eye doctor might need to adjust your prescription. They might suggest artificial tears or prescription eye drops to treat dry eye.

Most causes aren’t serious. But you may need surgery if you experience an emergency like a detached retina or a stroke. Your eye doctor or another healthcare provider will tell you what’s best for you and your eyes based on your unique circumstances.

What are the possible complications or risks of not treating it?

The most obvious complication of not treating blurred vision is that you won’t be able to see well. In addition to being annoying, that can be unsafe.

Your eyes are very sensitive. Anything that’s affecting them can be a sign that something is off in your body. This can range from chronic dry eye being a clue that you have an autoimmune disease, like Sjögren’s syndrome, to sudden vision changes being a sign of a medical emergency, like a stroke.

When should this symptom be treated by a healthcare provider?

Always get changes in your eyes and vision checked out, no matter the cause.

Don’t ignore any changes in your vision, especially if they happen suddenly. Even if blurry vision is usually nothing to worry about. An eye doctor or your primary care provider should check your eyes to make sure nothing serious is wrong.

Your eye doctor will tell you how often you should get your vision checked, especially if you wear glasses or contacts. Your eyes naturally change as you age, and you’ll need different vision correction prescriptions throughout your life.