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Causes of Blurry Vision

by | Jan 19, 2023 | Info | 0 comments

Blurry Vision Overview

People experiencing sudden blurry vision may find it difficult to see clearly or manage their usual tasks. Although not all instances are a cause for concern, some may require medical treatment.

A loss of sharpness of eyesight can make objects seem hazy or out of focus. There can be various causes, including refractive errors, such as near-sightedness. However, it can sometimes be a symptom of more serious issues.

Clear, sharp vision can help you navigate the world, from reading traffic signs to making sure you don’t miss a step in your home. Blurred vision can make you feel like someone has put a filter over your eyes, and life is no longer in focus.

Causes of Blurry Vision

Blurry vision is a common symptom with many potential causes, including very common ones like refractive errors and dry eyes.

Following are some examples of common causes of blurry vision:

Patients with diabetes can also experience blurred vision if their blood sugar levels fluctuate significantly.

Causes of 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:

  • A steep increase in blood pressure
  • Concussion 
  • Eye injury
  • Hyphemia (bleeding inside the eye)
  • Infections of the eye and its tissues.
  • Migraine headache
  • Retinal detachment
  • Stroke or transient ischemic attack (ITA)

Detached Retina

A detached retina happens when the retina, which is the thin layer at the back of the eye, pulls away from the blood vessels that provide it with essential oxygen and nutrients.

According to the National Eye Institute, symptoms can appear quickly. Without rapid treatment, permanent damage and vision loss can occur.

Symptoms can include:

  • A shadow on the sides or middle of the person’s vision
  • Flashes of light that can occur in one or both eyes.
  • Gray or black specks floating in their vision.

Treatment

There may be permanent damage to vision without rapid treatment.

Treatment will include reattaching the retina. A doctor may recommend freeze treatment, laser surgery, or surgery.

Concussion

A concussion occurs when a person experiences an injury to the head.

Along with visual changes, symptoms of a concussion can include:

Treatment

After a doctor has ensured that the injury is not severe, treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms.

A person may need to rest for roughly 24–48 hours. A person can also take over the counter (OTC) analgesics to help reduce headache symptoms.

According to a 2020 article, a person should avoid taking medications that can alter a person’s cognitive function and sleep patterns, as these might hide symptoms of a concussion.

Stroke

Strokes can cause vision to become blurry in one or both eyes.

Symptoms of a stroke include:

  • Confusion and difficulty speaking or understanding.
  • Difficulty seeing in one or both eyes.
  • Numbness in the face, leg, or arm, typically on one side of the body
  • Difficulty walking, as well as dizziness and lack of coordination
  • Sudden and severe headache

If someone is experiencing a stroke, they should call the emergency services immediately and follow the procedure set out by the acronym FAST:

  • F for face: Ask the person to smile and note if one side of the face has dropped.
  • A for arms: Ask the person to raise both of their arms and note if one arm drifts downwards.
  • S for speech: Ask a person to repeat a simple phrase. Make a note if they slur their speech.
  • T for time: If any of the above has occurred, call the emergency services immediately.

Treatment

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), treatments are more effective within 3 hours of the onset of the first symptoms.

Treatment for a stroke will depend on the type of stroke, which part of the brain it affects and what caused the stroke.


Seeking Medical Help

You should call 911 or your local emergency services and get immediate medical attention if your blurred vision comes on suddenly and you have any of these symptoms:

  • Difficulty speaking
  • Facial drooping
  • Loss of muscle control on one side of the body
  • Severe headache
  • Trouble seeing

These symptoms are similar to those of having a stroke.

Additional symptoms that may need immediate treatment include severe eye pain or sudden loss of vision.

Loss of vision that slowly gets worse or other symptoms of blurred vision may require a visit to your primary care doctor or eye care specialist.

Diagnosis of Blurry Vision

Your doctor will diagnose the cause of your blurred vision by first taking an inventory of your symptoms. Examples of questions they may ask include:

  • When did you first start noticing the blurred vision?
  • What makes the blurred vision worse or better?

They may also ask about your personal medical history as well as a family history of eye conditions.

Eye Tests

Your doctor may next want to perform a physical exam of your eyes. They may test your vision by asking you to read an eye chart.  They might also perform other eye tests, such as:

  • Ophthalmoscopy.
  • Refraction test.
  • Slit lamp examination.
  • Tonometry, which measures intraocular pressure.

Blood Tests

Your doctor might also perform blood testing. Blood tests may be used to help them determine whether bacteria are in the blood. They can also use tests to obtain your white blood cell count (WBC) if they suspect there could be an infection.


Treatment of Blurry Vision

When blurred vision is the result of a decrease in blood sugar, treatments include consuming foods high in fast-acting sugars. This includes juice and candies. You can also take glucose tablets that will increase your blood sugar quickly.

Other treatments for blurred vision can depend on the condition that’s causing your symptoms. They can include eye drops, laser surgeries, or medications to control the underlying conditions.


Prevention of Blurry Vision

While it’s not always possible to prevent some causes of blurred vision, taking steps to care for your eyes can help prevent lifestyle-related causes.

Here are some tips for healthy vision:

  • Always wear sunglasses that provide broad-spectrum protection when you’re going out in the sun.
  • Eat a diet rich in eye healthy nutrients. The antioxidant lutein can be found in dark, leafy green such as spinach and kale. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids include albacore tuna, trout and halibut. Get vitamin A from sources such as carrots, sweet potatoes and liver.
  • Undergo regular comprehensive eye exams, especially if someone in your family has a history of an eye disease.
  • Wash your hands before putting on or taking out contact lenses to reduce infection risk.
  • Wear protective eyewear when operating heavy machinery or engaging in activities such as painting and home repairs. 
  • Quit Smoking

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