Blurry Vision: Causes and Treatment

Whether caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness, an eye condition, or other factors, blurry eye vision can significantly impact daily life.

In this blog post, we want to take a closer look at this phenomenon. We will examine blurry vision causes, discuss symptoms and risk factors, and finally provide some tips to improve your vision. So, let's take a closer look and uncover what lies behind this vision problem.

What Causes Blurry Vision?

There are various reasons for blurry vision. For example, our body may react to certain situations or changes that lead to temporary blurry vision. However, there are also causes that can lead to persistent blurred vision.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors can play a significant role in the development of blurry vision. In environments with low humidity, such as during the winter or in air-conditioned rooms, the surface of the eyes can dry out. This disrupts the production of tear fluid, which can lead to dry eyes and blurry vision. Contact with dust particles or smoke, whether from cigarettes or burning, can irritate the eyes and lead to temporary blurry vision. These foreign bodies can also irritate the surface of the eyes, leading to dryness or inflammation. Wind can cause the tear fluid to evaporate more quickly, leading to temporary dryness in the eyes. This can cause blurry vision, especially when the eyes are not properly moisturised.

Screen Work

Spending long hours in front of screens, whether on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, usually leads to less blinking. As a result, tear fluid evaporates more quickly, which can cause dry eyes and blurry vision. This phenomenon is often referred to as "Computer Vision Syndrome" or "digital eye strain." If reducing screen time is not possible, special computer glasses can help alleviate the symptoms and make screen work more comfortable.

Visual Impairments

Certain vision problems can cause blurry vision. Let’s explore some possible causes of blurry vision.

Nearsightedness (Myopia)

With nearsightedness (myopia), you see blurry in the distance, while objects close up are clear. This occurs because the eyeball is too long. As a result, the light rays entering the eye are focused in front of the retina rather than on it, leading to a blurry image and blurry vision in the distance.

Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

With farsightedness (hyperopia), you have difficulty seeing objects up close clearly, while distant objects are visible. In this case, your eyeball is too short. As a result, light rays are focused behind the retina instead of directly on it. This creates a blurry image on the retina, causing blurry vision when looking at objects up close.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism and blurry vision often go hand in hand. Astigmatism is when the cornea of the eye has an irregular curvature. The light rays entering the eye are not focused on a single point, but rather on multiple focal points. This leads to distorted and blurry images both near and far.

Presbyopia

As we age, the lens of the eye loses flexibility. This impairs the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects (accommodation). The ability to see up close gradually deteriorates, leading to blurry vision when reading or doing nearby activities. This condition is known as presbyopia.

Dry Eyes

Another cause of blurry vision is dry eyes. Dry eyes occur when your eyes do not produce enough tear fluid or when the tear fluid present is not sufficiently distributed across the surface of your eyes.

If you suffer from dry eyes, you may notice various symptoms, such as dryness, burning, itching, and redness of the eyes. These symptoms can also lead to temporary blurry vision.

Various factors contribute to dry eyes, including environmental factors, excessive screen time, and contact lens use. Additionally, the eyes tend to become drier with age.

Ocular Migraines

Ocular migraines, also known as ophthalmic migraines, are a specific form of migraine that leads to temporary visual disturbances. These disturbances may include flickering or flashing lights, also known as aura symptoms, and typically occur in one eye. Ocular migraines can cause blurry vision that may last from several minutes to an hour or longer.

The exact causes of ocular migraines are not fully understood, but they are believed to result from a temporary disruption in blood flow to the brain. This altered blood flow can affect the visual signals, leading to visual disturbances.

Migraines with Aura

Migraines with aura are a type of migraine in which specific neurological symptoms occur, known as an aura. An aura can bring about various sensory changes, including visual disturbances that may lead to blurry vision. These visual aura symptoms may or may not be accompanied by headaches. They typically last about 20 minutes to an hour and gradually subside.

The exact cause of migraines with aura is unclear, but it is believed that neurochemical changes in the brain play a role. There are also specific triggers that can trigger a migraine with aura, including stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, sleep deprivation, and sensory stimuli.

What Diseases Can Lead to Blurry Vision?

There are a variety of diseases that can lead to blurred vision.

Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. This clouding causes less light to reach the retina, resulting in reduced vision. Affected individuals often experience blurry vision, reduced contrast, and possibly altered color perception.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease where increased intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve. This can gradually impair peripheral vision and, if untreated, cause progressive vision loss. In some forms of glaucoma, central vision may also be affected, which often manifests as blurry vision.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula, the central part of the retina. In the dry form of AMD, deposits form on the macula, while in the wet form, abnormal blood vessels leak. Both forms can lead to blurry vision and distortion of objects in the central visual field, impairing reading and recognition abilities.

Diabetic Retinopathy

This condition affects the retina in individuals with diabetes and develops due to damage to the blood vessels in the eye. Diabetic retinopathy can cause blurry vision because the damaged blood vessels leak fluid into the retina and macula, impairing vision.

Corneal Diseases

Conditions such as keratoconus, where the cornea bulges into a cone shape, or corneal scarring from injuries or infections, can lead to irregular light refraction. This often results in distorted and blurry vision, especially when viewing objects at a distance.

Retinal Diseases

Various retinal diseases can impair vision and cause blurry vision. One example is retinal detachment, where the retina separates from the underlying tissue layer. Another condition is macular edema, where fluid accumulates in the macula. Retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary retinal disease, can also cause blurry vision.

In these conditions, vision is impaired because the affected parts of the retina are not functioning normally. This leads to blurry vision and possibly other visual disturbances. The symptoms vary depending on the specific disease.

When Should You See a Doctor for Blurry Vision?

You should visit a doctor in the following cases of your vision getting blurry:

• Sudden Onset: If blurry vision appears suddenly and without any obvious reason, especially if it affects only one eye or a specific area of the visual field, you should consult an eye doctor immediately. Sudden blurry vision may be a sign of a serious eye condition or another medical issue that requires prompt medical attention.
• Chronic or Recurring Blurry Vision: If you regularly or repeatedly experience blurry vision, regardless of its duration or accompanying symptoms, it’s advisable to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. This is particularly important if the blurry vision is interfering with your daily activities or worsening over time.
• Accompanying Symptoms: If blurry vision is accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain, light sensitivity, eye redness, flickering or flashing in the visual field, loss of peripheral vision, double vision, or changes in colour perception, you should see a doctor. These accompanying symptoms could indicate a specific eye disease or another medical condition that requires a thorough examination.
• Pre-existing Conditions or Risk Factors: If you already have certain eye conditions or known risk factors for eye problems (e.g., diabetes, family history of eye diseases, high blood pressure), it is important to have regular check-ups with an eye doctor.

If you notice blurry vision, make sure to inform your doctor and schedule an appointment.

How is Blurry Vision Diagnosed?

When diagnosing blurry vision, the eye doctor will conduct a thorough examination to identify the underlying cause and plan appropriate treatment.

Questions About Symptoms

The doctor will typically begin by asking questions about the specific symptoms to gather more information. These include:

• Type of Blurry Vision: The doctor will ask about the type of blurry vision, such as whether it’s a general blur or distortion, whether it affects distance vision or near vision, and whether the problem occurs in one or both eyes.
• Duration and Frequency: The doctor will inquire about the duration of the blurry vision, whether it is temporary or constant, and if it is a recurring problem.
• Accompanying Symptoms: The doctor will ask about any additional symptoms that may accompany blurry vision, such as pain, redness, light sensitivity, flickering or flashes in the visual field, double vision, or changes in colour perception.

Vision Tests

To check the visual sharpness, the doctor will conduct several tests:

• Visual Acuity Test: You will be asked to read various letters or symbols on an eye chart to determine visual acuity (sharpness). This is often done using a Landolt ring eye test.
• Refraction Test: Using a phoropter or automated refractometer, the doctor will measure the refractive power of your eye to identify any refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.

Eye Examination

The doctor will also perform a thorough examination of your eyes to identify any other potential causes of blurry vision.

• Slit Lamp Examination: The doctor will examine the external and internal structures of your eye, including the cornea, lens, iris, and retina, using a special slit lamp. This examination is a critical diagnostic tool for identifying eye diseases and assessing the condition of eye structures.
• Intraocular Pressure Measurement: The pressure inside the eye may be measured with a tonometer to check for signs of eye diseases, such as glaucoma.
• Pupil Reaction Test: The doctor may test the pupils' response to light to detect any nerve or muscle issues.

Other Tests

Additional tests and investigations may be required depending on the suspicion of specific eye diseases. These may include a retinal examination, corneal topography, or imaging of the eye.

The precise diagnosis depends on the results of these tests. An eye doctor will assess the findings to determine the underlying cause of your blurry vision and recommend the best treatment options.

Treatment Options for Blurry Vision

Wondering how to get rid of blurry vision? There are various treatment options, depending on the underlying cause.

Visual Aids

Glasses

Glasses are a common option to improve blurry vision caused by refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or strabismus. The lenses are adjusted to your individual visual strength and correct the refractive error of your eye to restore clear vision.

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses offer an alternative to glasses for vision correction. They are placed directly on the cornea and correct the refractive error similar to glasses. Various types of contact lenses are available, including soft lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, and toric lenses for astigmatism.

Medications

Certain medications may help improve vision and treat the underlying causes of blurry vision.

Eye Drops

For specific eye conditions like dry eyes or inflammation, eye drops are prescribed to relieve symptoms and improve blurry vision. These eye drops may contain agents to moisturise the eye surface or anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and improve vision.

Medications for Eye Infections

For bacterial or viral eye infections, antibiotic or antiviral eye drops or ointments may be prescribed to combat the infection and relieve blurry vision. These medications aim to eliminate the infection and reduce inflammation, helping to restore clarity of vision.

Refractive Surgery

Refractive surgery refers to various surgical procedures aimed at correcting vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia (age-related farsightedness).

The goal of refractive surgery is to change the refractive power of the eye to achieve full vision correction without relying on glasses or contact lenses.

Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery includes procedures to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Two common techniques include:

• Femto-LASIK: Femto-LASIK uses a special laser to create a thin flap in the outer corneal layer, which is then folded back. The exposed area is reshaped with an excimer laser to correct the refractive error. The flap is then repositioned, and it heals naturally.
• Trans-PRK (Trans-epithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy): In Trans-PRK, the outer layer of the cornea, the epithelium, is removed with an excimer laser. The underlying corneal layer is then reshaped to correct the refractive error. Recovery time may be longer as the epithelium needs to regrow.

ICL (Implantable Contact Lenses)

This method involves implanting additional artificial lenses into the eye to change the eye's refractive power and correct vision problems. Unlike other methods, ICL is reversible as the implants can be removed if needed. After successful lens implantation, you can stop using glasses or contact lenses.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

Refractive Lens Exchange is considered particularly for presbyopia or other eye conditions that cause blurry vision. During RLE, the natural lens of the eye is replaced with a high-quality artificial lens to correct vision problems.

Surgical Treatment

If blurry vision is caused by an eye disease and is persistent, various surgical procedures may be considered to improve vision.

Cataract Surgery

In advanced stages of cataracts, surgery may be necessary. The clouded natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear intraocular lens (IOL). This improves light transmission and eliminates blurry vision.

Retinal Surgery

In cases of retinal conditions, surgery may be needed to repair the retina and improve vision. These surgeries aim to reattach the retina or remove abnormal tissue from the surface of the retina.

Corneal Transplant

If blurry vision is caused by damage or disease of the cornea, a corneal transplant may be considered. In this procedure, the damaged or diseased cornea is replaced with a donor cornea to improve vision.

Treatment of Underlying Conditions

To effectively improve blurry vision, it’s often necessary to treat the underlying condition.

Treatment of Eye Diseases

For eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy, treatment may focus on slowing the progression of the disease and preserving vision. This can involve medication, laser treatments, or, in some cases, surgical procedures.

Treatment of Systemic Diseases

If blurry vision is associated with a systemic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s important to treat and control the underlying condition. Good blood sugar or blood pressure management can help improve vision and prevent further damage to the eyes.

Preventive Measures for Blurry Vision

There are several steps you can take to minimise the risk of blurry vision.

Adequate Sleep

Ensure that you get enough sleep, as fatigue can lead to temporary blurred vision. Regular and sufficient sleep allows your eyes to rest and contributes to overall body health.

Eye Breaks

If you spend long periods looking at a screen or engage in intense visual activities such as reading or working with fine details, it's important to take regular breaks. During these breaks, your eyes can relax and recover to avoid fatigue and blurry vision. The 20-20-20 rule can be helpful: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (about 6 metres) away for 20 seconds.

Eye Exercises

Regular eye exercises can help strengthen and improve the flexibility of your eye muscles. These exercises may include focusing on objects at different distances, tracking moving objects, or switching between near and far vision. Eye training can help improve visual endurance and reduce eye fatigue, lowering the risk of blurry vision.

Healthy Diet

A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins supports overall eye health. Foods like leafy greens, fish, nuts, and berries contain nutrients important for the eyes and may help prevent certain eye diseases.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking can contribute to the deterioration of eye health, increasing the risk of eye diseases that can lead to blurry vision. Quitting smoking or avoiding second-hand smoke can promote better eye health.

Eye Protection

When engaging in sports, working in dusty or chemical environments, or handling sharp or hazardous objects, it's important to protect your eyes. Wearing protective glasses or face shields can help prevent injuries or irritations that could lead to blurry vision.

Regular Eye Exams

Regular visits to an eye doctor are important, even if no obvious problems are present. A specialist can detect and treat any eye conditions early, reducing the risk of blurry vision and vision loss. It is recommended to have regular eye tests, at least once a year, starting at the age of 40.