Blurry vision, a condition in which you see objects out of focus, can have many causes, ranging from tired or irritated eyes to minor anatomical problems to serious health issues that may worsen or even lead to blindness if left untreated. The treatment and prognosis for blurry vision depend on the underlying cause.
Causes of blurry vision can be directly related to eye health — including refractive and nonrefractive errors — or caused by other illness or injury-related causes. It can be one of the earliest symptoms of diabetes.
Refractive Errors
Refractive errors occur when the eye is misshapen, which causes light to be focused improperly. These include:
The American Academy of Ophthalmology website features an extensive list of conditions that may be associated with blurry vision.
You should seek immediate medical attention if your vision suddenly gets blurry or if you suddenly lose vision — particularly if you’ve been injured or show other potential symptoms of a stroke, including:
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty moving
Dizziness
Weakness in one arm
Facial paralysis
Slurred speech
Loss of balance
Treatment for blurry vision can take a wide variety of forms, depending on the underlying cause. Possible treatments include corrective eyewear, medication, and surgery.
Corrective Eyewear
Corrective eyewear includes eyeglasses and contact lenses, which can be used to treat blurriness caused by refractive errors and cataracts, among other causes.
Medication Options
There are many possible medications your doctor may prescribe. Over-the-counter eye drops may provide temporary relief.
For treating presbyopia, or age-related blurry vision, your doctor may prescribe pilocarpine hydrochloride (Vuity) eye drops, which are approved for this use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Surgery
Surgical procedures that may be used to treat conditions that cause blurry vision include:
Cataract surgery
LASIK
Take care of your health by eating well and get lots of rest. Foods like dark leafy greens, fish, and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamin A–rich foods like carrots and sweet potatoes, can also help you maintain eye health. Wear sunglasses when you’re outside, and get eye exams regularly.
If you wear contacts, be sure to always wash your hands before putting them in or taking them out to minimize the risk of infections. If your blurry vision is caused by an underlying health condition, you may be able to resolve it by following your doctor’s recommendations for managing your symptoms.
To prevent blurriness from eyestrain that results from looking at a screen too long, try following the 20-20-20 rule: at least every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. For blurry vision caused by eye dryness, try blinking a few times, using a warm compress, or using eye drops to lubricate your eyes.
Blurry vision can have a variety of underlying causes.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden blurry vision.
Treatment for blurry vision can include corrective eyewear, medication, or surgery.
There are a number of ways to prevent blurry vision, such as eating correctly and limiting the amount of time you look at screens.
