Blurry Vision Causes, Treatments & More

By shirley

Reviewed: dr. stavarache

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. 'Blurriness.' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 25 Jan. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/symptoms/blurriness-2.
• 2. Blurred Vision By Christopher J. Brady, et al. 'Blurred Vision - Eye Disorders.' Merck Manuals Professional Edition, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye-disorders/symptoms-of-ophthalmologic-disorders/blurred-vision.
• 3. Willacy, Dr Hayley. 'Blurred Vision.' Patient.info, 3 Apr. 2019, patient.info/doctor/blurred-vision.
• 4. 'Nearsightedness: What Is Myopia?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 22 Dec. 2020, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/myopia-nearsightedness.
• 5. 'Common Eye Disorders and Diseases.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 June 2020, www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basics/ced/index.html.
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• 7. 'Slide Show: Age-Related Vision Problems.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 10 Mar. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/vision-problems/sls-20076758's=2.
• 8. Boyd, Kierstan. 'What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 18 Sept. 2020, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-diabetic-retinopathy.
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• 16. Boyd, Kierstan. 'What Is Dry Eye?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 Feb. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-dry-eye.
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Blurry vision is a common issue in which a person is unable to see clearly or sharply. One or both eyes may be affected, and the blurriness may develop gradually or suddenly. The indistinct vision may be present when viewing objects at close range, at a distance or under all circumstances. Other visual symptoms, such as halos, floaters and decreased peripheral vision, may accompany the blurry vision.

People of all ages may experience blurry vision, although some causes of the issue are age-related. Causes of blurry vision include refractive errors, a disease, physical changes due to age, hereditary disorders and injuries.¹‘Blurriness.’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 25 Jan. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/symptoms/blurriness-2.^,2Blurred Vision By Christopher J. Brady, et al. ‘Blurred Vision - Eye Disorders.’ Merck Manuals Professional Edition, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye-disorders/symptoms-of-ophthalmologic-disorders/blurred-vision.^,3Willacy, Dr Hayley. ‘Blurred Vision.’ Patient.info, 3 Apr. 2019, patient.info/doctor/blurred-vision.

1. Refractive Errors

The most common cause of blurred vision is refractive errors.²Blurred Vision By Christopher J. Brady, et al. ‘Blurred Vision - Eye Disorders.’ Merck Manuals Professional Edition, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye-disorders/symptoms-of-ophthalmologic-disorders/blurred-vision. A refractive error occurs when the eye fails to bend light properly, interfering with proper focusing and causing a blurred image.⁴‘Nearsightedness: What Is Myopia?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 22 Dec. 2020, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/myopia-nearsightedness.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, causes blurred vision when viewing distant objects, while farsightedness, or hyperopia, causes blurred vision when viewing objects up close. Presbyopia is an age-related condition that results in impaired close-up vision. Astigmatism, caused by distortion in the eye’s lens, may result in blurred vision at any distance. Refractive errors can be corrected with prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery.⁵‘Common Eye Disorders and Diseases.’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 June 2020, www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basics/ced/index.html.