BLURRED VISION
SYMPTOM GUIDE
Blurred vision is where objects may appear less clearly or sharply. It can affect just one eye or both, and can be as a result of refractive errors (a need for glasses or contact lenses) or dry eye or a condition such as cataracts. If you have any concerns about your vision always seek the advice of your eye care professional.
COMMON CAUSES OF BLURRED VISION
REFRACTIVE ERRORS
Refractive errors such as myopia and hyperopia will cause your vision to appear blurry This is related to your eyes not being able to focus light onto the back of the eye as effectively resulting in blurred vision. This can usually be corrected by glasses or contact lenses.
EYE STRAIN
In some instances, looking at a digital screen for a long period of time can cause the eyes to become fatigued. Similarly with any type of concentrated work e.g. long-distance driving. This is typically due to a reduced rate of blinking, which can contribute to dry eye and blurriness in your vision.
EYE INJURY
An injury to the eye could cause blurred vision, particularly if there has been an impact to the cornea, lens or retina. For instance, if something has blown into your eye and irritated the cornea, it could result in your vision becoming blurry.
DRY EYE
Dry eye can cause blurriness as a lack of tears results in the surface of the eye being more uneven this can impact how light focuses in the eye, resulting in vision becoming blurry.
CATARACTS
Cataracts cause the lens of the eye to become cloudy meaning less light can pass through it. This can impact vision, causing blurred vision along with other symptoms like faded colours and experiencing glare in bright light.
RELATED EYE CONDITIONS
Other eye conditions could also cause blurred vision including infections such as conjunctivitis or inflammation caused by the likes of blepharitis or an age related condition such as AMD.
In some cases blurred vision can be caused by non-eye related conditions. This can include pregnancy, migraines, diabetes or even medication side effects.
If you are experiencing new eye symptoms like blurred vision, you should speak to an eye care professional.
What to do if you have blurred vision
If you experience sudden onset blurred vision, it’s important to seek immediate advice.
Any change to your vision should be checked by an eye care professional. It could be that you require a prescription for lenses to correct a refractive error, or that you have an underlying eye condition. Regular eye tests can help to identify any issues and ensure any conditions are being managed accordingly.
In some cases, addressing the underlying cause can help to manage or reduce blurred vision. This could be lifestyle adjustments, such as taking regular breaks from digital screens, to using eye drops.
Explore other eye symptoms
Find out more about other eye symptoms below, or visit the Eye Symptom Checker to find out more information.
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