What Should I Do if I Have Blurred Vision?

For many people, blurred vision can happen simply as a result of being overly tired. For example, our eyes may have been straining to constantly focus on computer screens or the fine details of paperwork.

Squinting can help the eye to refocus temporarily. Also, taking a break and doing something else or just relaxing is another great way to overcome blurry vision.

However, what if the cause of blurry vision is not due to being tired or staring at a computer for hours on end? In fact, certain medical conditions can contribute to blurred vision. Fortunately, there are ways to help combat this issue.

What is blurred vision?

With healthy eyes, your vision is clear, sharp, and crisp. Everything should be in focus and you should see colours that are bright.

Blurry vision is when things no longer look that clear and sharp, or there is a glare surrounding lights at night. This is usually accompanied by the feeling of tired eyes, dry eyes, and/or headaches.

While blurry vision can occur gradually and is our eyes’ way of saying they need a break, this can be a side effect of some medical conditions. It can also be an alarming indication that requires immediate attention.

For instance, a sudden onset of blurred vision could be a sign of a stroke, a quick rise in blood pressure, a concussion, or even an infection within the eye. Should you experience blurred vision rapidly, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.

Causes and Treatments

Depending on your medical history and the onset and severity of your blurred vision, there are many treatment options available. These should be discussed with your eyecare medical team. If accompanied by routine eye exams, early prevention of such issues is possible.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is commonly a defect in the eye’s ability to focus properly on an image. Also referred to as nearsightedness, it can be easily corrected with glasses or LASIK eye surgery.

Glaucoma

Pressure can build up within the eye and then press down on the optic nerve. This can distort images and create blurred vision. 

Regular eye exams will help monitor this pressure and your eye care team can advise you on the correct treatment, depending on the onset and severity. This treatment can range from eye drops to surgery, and each patient is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Cataracts

A cataract is the fogging or clouding of the lens inside the eye, and can lead to partial or full vision loss. This can happen in one eye or both, either simultaneously or years apart.

Surgery is the most common and effective treatment for cataracts, with long-lasting results.

Dry Eyes

If our tear ducts cannot properly produce enough tears, or our tears evaporate quickly, then the surface of our eyes will dry out. Aside from being uncomfortable, this can lead to blurred vision. 

Eye drops or artificial tears are often used to prevent or reduce dry eyes. For severe cases, surgery could be an option.

Other Medical Conditions

For people with pre-existing medical conditions, it is even more important to have regular eye exams. Some medical conditions can lead to blurred vision as a side effect. Or, blurred vision, which may mean that the medical issue is worsening.

These medical issues include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Diabetes
• Psoriasis
• Pre-eclampsia
• Chronic migraines
• Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.  

Effective treatment in these cases needs to be coordinated with your full healthcare team, as it can involve a change in medications, the addition of medications, eye drops, corrective lenses, or eye surgery.

The Impact of Blurred Vision

Blurred vision will not only affect your eyesight but can also cause dizziness, headaches, slurring of speech, and facial weakness. This can also be attributed to a stroke. If you think you are experiencing a stroke, call 911 immediately. 

Of course, not all cases of blurred vision are an indication of a stroke or other cardiac events, but they should be taken seriously nevertheless.

Any or all of these additional ailments will have an impact on your overall health, so do not drive, consume alcohol, or operate machinery until they are resolved.

Self-Care and Prevention

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to look after your eyes and prevent or reduce blurred vision. Aside from regular eye exams, report any changes in your vision and overall health to your eye care team so that they have the complete picture.

The proper management of any underlying medical conditions will make a huge difference. Consider adding multivitamins to your daily routine to help give your body a boost. Vitamin A deficiencies can also lead to blurred vision, so talk to your healthcare provider about blood work to check it out. 

A good night’s sleep will give your eyes the time they need to recover from the day, and regular breaks from computer and phone screens will help prevent eye strain and dry eyes.

When you are outdoors, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s glare to reduce the risk of damage. You should also invest in blue or yellow lenses for your glasses if you often work on computers. For some people, special nighttime glasses for driving can be an asset.

Avoiding or reducing smoking and alcohol consumption will also help your overall eye health and reduce the risk of blurry vision. 

Contact the Professionals at Clearview Vision Institute

The eyecare team at Clearview Vision Institute work hard to ensure that the vision of every patient is perfect or as near to it as possible.

With the latest technology on-site, LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) eye surgery, routine exams, and other treatments can be done in one appointment. The fast and efficient diagnosis of your eye’s health can help prevent or reduce several conditions that will affect your vision, protecting it for longer, and giving you your independence and freedom back. 

Whether you want a regular check-up, would like to discuss LASIK eye surgery, or have any concerns about your vision, you can reach out and call us at 647-493-6371 or contact us online.

Our friendly and professional team is waiting to help improve your vision, so you see the world as you once did.