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Top Causes of Sudden Blurry Vision (& Treatment)

Home / Causes of Sudden Blurry Vision

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Experiencing sudden blurry vision can be alarming, and the causes can range from the benign to the serious. In this guide, we delve into the myriad causes of sudden blurry vision, including but not limited to:

  • Eyestrain
  • Age-Related Changes in Eyesight
  • Intoxication
  • Diabetes
  • Infections
  • Migraines
  • Detached Retina
  • Stroke
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Eye Injury

Sudden eye blurriness can stem from a variety of problems. Some, like a detached retina, are serious. Others, such as a migraine, are moderately dangerous. And still others, such as eyestrain, are mild.

It’s wise to discuss any sudden vision changes with your doctor, but the severity of your problem will determine whether that talk happens in an appointment or in the emergency room.

Regardless of the cause of your sudden, blurred vision, your doctor will play a role in helping you to heal. Some serious conditions require surgery, but others can ease with medications, rest, or both.

Common Causes of Blurry Vision

The term “sudden, blurred vision” appears to be comprehensive. At a glance, one might infer that abrupt visual impairment is associated with a spectrum of conditions, ranging from benign to serious.

Some causes of blurred vision are relatively harmless and temporary. They may manifest abruptly but do not necessarily worsen with time; instead, they may remain constant or even improve. These occurrences are fairly common and are not generally a cause for concern.

Common causes of blurred vision include:

  • Eye Strain: Extended periods of staring at a computer screen or reading in poor light can strain the eyes, leading to blurred vision. This condition may not develop suddenly, but you might only become aware of it once you divert your attention, making it seem like a sudden issue.
  • Age-Related Changes in Eyesight: With age, our eyes and the muscles controlling them lose some of their flexibility and strength, which can result in blurred vision, particularly in low light conditions, according to the American Optometric Association. This is a gradual change, but if you infrequently encounter such situations, it might seem sudden when it does occur.
  • Intoxication: Consuming excessive alcohol can impair various senses, including vision, causing blurred sight, accompanied by a lack of coordination and nausea.

How Serious Is Your Sudden, Blurry Vision?

glasses held by boy

While some causes of sudden, blurry vision are very serious, others are less so. They still require treatment, but they may not worsen rapidly. They include:

  • Diabetes. People with diabetes need to keep their blood sugar levels under tight control. A slip can lead to an overcorrection or an undercorrection, and that can cause blurred vision. You may also experience blurred vision due to some types of insulin treatment.
  • Infection. Some types of bacterial and viral infections cause eye tissues to swell. Eyelids may press on the globe and distort your vision. Or the light-capturing parts of your eye may swell. Blurred vision is the result.
  • Migraine. More than 38 million people in the United States have migraines, experts say. When an episode hits, they may experience sudden blurred vision paired with light sensitivity, nausea, flashes of light, and intense headache.

Significant sources of blurry vision tend to come on rapidly. You may not notice any problem in one moment, but after your next blink, everything changes. Do nothing, and the blurriness tends to worsen.

Serious conditions that often cause this issue include:

  • Detached retina. Your retinal tissue sits at the back of your eye, and it should be firmly attached. When it separates from the nourishing blood vessels below it, blurred vision takes hold. The National Eye Institute says you may also notice flashes of light, specks that float into your visual field, or a shadow that seems to sweep into your sightline.
  • Stroke. Clots that block blood flow cause strokes, and these episodes can be deadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says blurred vision from a stroke can impact one eye or both. Other symptoms include numbness, confusion, difficulty with coordination, and severe headache.
  • Macular degeneration. There are two forms of this condition, including a “wet” form and a “dry” form. The wet version of the disease causes sudden blurred vision. According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, only about 15 percent of people with macular degeneration have this form of the disease.
  • Eye injury. Chemical burns, penetrating objects, and deep scrapes can all lead to blurred vision. These very painful injuries typically stem from an incident you can remember, such as a car accident or lab explosion.

This isn’t a comprehensive account of all the conditions that can cause sudden blurred vision. But this list can give you an idea of the many varied sources of vision shifts.

Remember that blurry vision from time to time is common, but it’s best to consult your doctor to rule out any serious issues.

What Should You Do Next?

perspective of someone with blurry vision

The treatment you need varies, depending on the source of your vision change and the severity of that condition. But in general, sudden blurriness requires a diagnosis and treatment.

Take these steps if you have blurry vision:

  1. Assess the situation. Have you been working on a computer for hours without a break? Have you been engaged in detailed work that requires close vision? Consider the circumstances to determine the potential cause of your blurry vision.
  2. Give your eyes a break. The best first step is to rest your eyes. Turn away from screens, close your eyes, and take a deep breath.
  3. See a doctor. If your blurry vision doesn’t clear, it’s important to see a doctor. But if the blurry vision is sudden and severe, seek immediate medical care as this could signify an emergency, such as stroke or retinal detachment. If it’s a mild or moderate case, your doctor will also aim to diagnose the underlying cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.
  4. Have your vision checked. If your blurry vision is persistent or recurring, and the changes seem to be gradual, it’s time to get your vision checked. Visual acuity can decline, and blurriness may be a sign that you need a new or updated prescription.

Consider these steps if you believe your blurriness is:

  • Serious. The serious medical conditions we listed above (stroke, retinal detachment, wet macular degeneration, and eye injury) require immediate attention. In fact, these can be considered medical emergencies. Get help as soon as you can, and head right for the emergency room.
  • Moderate. Research suggests that one person in four goes to the emergency room to get help for moderate conditions, even though that’s not the right setting to get assistance. If you have an ocular issue, such as an infection, call your eye doctor and explain what’s happening. If you have a health issue, like diabetes, call your primary care doctor instead. If you are unsure, call your primary care doctor and ask how to proceed.
  • Mild. If the issue is serious and won’t go away, make an appointment to discuss the problem with your doctor. There isn’t a big rush on mild issues, though delaying treatment too long can allow the condition to worsen.

Don’t spend hours agonizing over whether to call your doctor for an urgent or non-urgent appointment. As the American Academy of Ophthalmology explains, you can’t always tell how serious the problem really is. If you’re not sure what to do, call and ask for advice. Don’t try to treat the problem yourself without the help of your doctor.

Your Doctor’s Role in Your Treatment

Plenty of the conditions we’ve discussed here stem from ocular disorders. Your eye doctor is in the best position to draw up a treatment plan and help your vision to clear.

Some causes of blurred vision don’t need intensive care. Researchers say, for example, that some eye infections clear within one to two weeks without antibiotics or another form of medication. But your doctor may ask to monitor your healing to ensure that things get better, not worse.

Some serious optical issues require surgery, including:

  • Penetrating injuries. If debris lodges within your eye, your doctor may need to perform surgery to remove the objects. Surgery may also help to repair holes and abrasions caused by those foreign bodies.
  • Retinal detachment. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says detached retinas are almost always treated with surgery. Often, doctors use lasers to seal the tear and tack tissues back in place.
  • Macular degeneration. At one point, experts say, doctors always used lasers to treat wet macular degeneration. But now, they can use medications combined with lasers to seal off leaking vessels and improve vision. Your doctor will devise the best treatment plan.

If you need surgery, your doctor will explain the risks and benefits before the procedure begins. You’ll know what will happen, and you’ll understand your role in the healing process.

If you both decide that surgery is the best path forward, follow your doctor’s instructions exactly. This includes steps to take prior to surgery as well as aftercare instructions. Proper care helps to ensure an optimal healing process and the best results from your surgery.

References

  1. Retinal Detachment. (June 2019). National Eye Institute.
  2. Stroke Signs and Symptoms. (November 2019). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  3. Wet Macular Degeneration. American Macular Degeneration Foundation.
  4. Diabetes and Blurry Vision: What You Need to Know. (May 2019). Healthline.
  5. Migraine Statistics. (June 2019). Migraine.com.
  6. Adult Vision: 41 to 60 Years of Age. American Optometric Association.
  7. First Aid for Eye Emergencies. Prevent Blindness.
  8. Recognizing and Treating Eye Injuries. (February 2019). American Academy of Ophthalmology.
  9. Study: 1 in 4 ER Visits for Eye Problems Aren’t Actually Emergencies. (February 2017). University of Michigan.
  10. Conjunctivitis. (October 2013). JAMA.
  11. Retinal Detachment: Torn or Detached Retina Treatment. (March 2016). American Academy of Ophthalmology.
  12. Macular Degeneration Treatments. American Macular Degeneration Foundation.

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