Why Does My Vision Go Blurry? Explore The Possible Reasons

Have you ever caught yourself squinting at your phone screen or perhaps strained an eye on the menu at your favourite restaurant? If you’ve ever stopped to ask, “Why do my eyes get blurry?” you’re not alone. Blurry vision affects millions worldwide. If we look at the numbers, we can find over 13 million Australians struggling with some kind of vision disorder. Let’s face it! Blurry vision can be frustrating. It can be unsettling and extremely discomforting.

Blurred vision can also impact your daily activities. After all, waking up one morning and finding everything around you out of focus can feel uncomfortable. It might seem as if looking through a foggy window.

If you have been struggling with blurred vision, don’t worry! You will find everything you need about this vision problem in this blog.

A] Exploring The Possible Reasons of Blurry Vision

Blurry vision can occur due to several reasons. For instance, you might have developed a refractive error, or there can be a persistent dry eye issue. Let’s look at the few possible reasons why your eyes are starting to get blurry.

1. Refractive Error

The most common cause of blurry vision is refractive errors when the eye cannot focus light correctly. As a consequence, you might see blurred images. Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism are the most common refractive errors.

It is possible to treat refractive errors with the help of an optometrist. The optometrist will suggest wearing glasses or contact lenses if the vision problem is not too extreme. However, if you want a long-lasting solution for your blurred vision, you can opt for refractive surgery like LASIK. Eventually, you will need your doctor’s advice on which option to correct your eye issues.

2. Dry Eye

Sometimes, your eyes do not produce enough tears. Even if the tears are produced sufficiently, they might evaporate too quickly. This situation is called the dry eye syndrome. Dry eyes can often irritate you, and you might frequently complain that your eyes are going blurry.

A doctor can help you improve dry eye syndrome. Several treatment options range from artificial tears to getting the prescribed eye drops. In some cases, dry eye syndrome could be caused by other issues like having a pterygium – a scar tissue growing over the surface of the eye. In these cases, your doctor might suggest you undergo pterygium eye surgery.

Apart from this, your optometrist might also suggest you make some lifestyle changes to eliminate dry eyes. For instance, he might ask you to reduce your screen time, etc.

3. Cataracts

Cataracts are a common problem among ageing people. The clouding of the eye’s natural lens might cause a decrease in vision. Cataracts develop slowly, and if you leave them untreated for too long, they might manifest into a more complicated vision disorder..

The temporary solution for cataracts is changing your glasses. However, if you leave this problem untreated, your vision may reduce significantly to interfere with daily activities like driving, etc. You must opt for cataract surgery as and when your doctor suggests so that you can see clearly. This way, you can stop complaining about extremely blurry vision.

4. Glaucoma

Glaucoma affects more than just your eyesight. It is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. The most common reason for glaucoma is high eye pressure. It is a serious vision problem and might lead to irreversible blindness if you do not get proper treatment on time.

The most common ways to treat glaucoma are medications, lasers, and surgery. Depending upon the severity of glaucoma, the doctor might advise appropriate treatment to control teh eye pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.

5. Detached Retina

Sometimes, the retina peels away or detaches from its underlying layer of tissue. When the retina detaches, it is usually a case of a medical emergency. You must visit the doctor as soon as possible to avoid the risk of permanent vision loss.

6. Eyelid malposition 

Inturning (Entropion )or outturning (Ectropion) of the lower eyelid can cause disturbance of the tear film layer causing significant dry eye and blurring of vision. This condition can be treated with the help of eyelid malposition surgery.

7. Diabetic Retinopathy

Usually, diabetic people are at greater risk of developing vision problems. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication that affects the eyes. It usually causes swelling of the light-sensitive layer – the retina, at the back of the eye because of damage to the blood vessels. Multiple treatment options in the form of injections, laser, and surgery are available depending on the severity of diabetic retinopathy.

8. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related Macular Degeneration is a common cause of vision loss in people over 50. AMD affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision, causing blurry vision or a blind spot in the center of your visual field.

There are two types: dry AMD, which progresses slowly, and wet AMD, which can cause rapid vision loss. Treatments for AMD include vitamin supplements, medications, and in some cases, injections to slow the progression and manage symptoms. Regular eye exams are essential for early detection and management of this condition.

B] Symptoms Of Blurry Vision

There are many symptoms of blurry vision. Every symptom can be different based on the reason you are experiencing eyesight problems. The below-mentioned are a few symptoms of eyes going blurry.

• Difficulty focusing
• Squinting
• Headaches
• Eye strain
• Double vision

In addition to these symptoms, some people might also experience redness in their eyes.

C] How Is Blurred Vision Treated?

The treatment options for blurred visions mostly depend upon its causes. However, the ophthalmologist might recommend appropriate treatment depending on the exact problem. In some cases, you might also have to opt for surgery and make some lifestyle changes.

D] When Should I See My Doctor?

If blurry vision is an ongoing complaint, you might need to visit an ophthalmologist. It is important to see the ophthalmologist when you experience:

• Sudden or severe blurry vision
• Vision changes after an injury
• Persistent pain in the eye
• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness

If you get immediate help for early diagnosis, you can avoid the risk of many serious vision problems.

Conclusion

Blurry vision can be a complicated problem as it can interfere with your daily tasks. You might feel uncomfortable and highly unsettling when your vision gets blurry sometimes. However, it doesn’t mean you cannot treat this vision problem.

With timely intervention and guidance from an eye expert, you can understand why you are experiencing this problem and how you can fix it. Blurry vision can occur for several reasons and can lead to blindness if left untreated.

If you are experiencing this issue, make sure that you don’t ignore it. Get a professional eye consultation by visiting an eye clinic in Adelaide to keep your vision clear and healthy.

Dr. Swati Sinkar

Dr. Swati Sinkar is a dedicated and experienced General Ophthalmologist with a special interest in cataract surgery, Pterygium surgery, eyelid malpositions, glaucoma treatment, Macular degeneration treatment, and paediatric ophthalmic conditions. She has been extensively trained in Australia and overseas and was awarded a Fellowship from RANZCO in 2015. Passionate about preventing paediatric blindness, she established neonatal screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity in Northern Adelaide at Lyell McEwin Hospital. Dr. Sinkar mentors trainees, teaches internationally, and values evidence-based medicine, with numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals. Outside work, she enjoys cooking, travel, cricket, and badminton.