Blurry Vision: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Treatment

When should I get my vision checked out by a doctor?

If your vision becomes blurry suddenly and you experience any of these signs, contact your local emergency services and seek immediate medical attention:

Severe headache
Problems seeing

How is blurry vision diagnosed?

Your doctor will first list your symptoms before determining the cause of your blurry vision. They might inquire about things like:

When did you first notice the haze in your vision?
What causes the vision to become clearer or blurred?

They might also inquire about your medical background and any family members who have had eye disorders

Severe eye pain or a sudden loss of vision are other blurry vision symptoms that may require quick medical attention. You might need to see your primary care physician or an eye care expert if your eyesight slowly worsens or if you experience other symptoms of blurry vision.

Eye Examination/Tests

Your eyes may then need to be physically examined by your doctor. They could ask you to read an eye chart to check blurry vision. They might also carry out further eye exams, such as:

Slit lamp examination
Tonometry used for measuring intraocular pressure
Ophthalmoscopy
Refraction test

Blood Tests

Your doctor may also carry out blood tests. Blood tests will help check whether there are germs in the blood. If you have an infection, the doctor may also perform tests to determine your white blood cell count (WBC). This will help in detecting certain signs of blurry vision.

Blurry Vision Prevention

While some reasons for blurry vision cannot always be avoided, taking care of your eyes can help you avoid lifestyle-related causes

Here are some tips for healthy vision:

Always wear sunglasses that offer broad-spectrum protection to protect your eyes from getting blurred with sweat when you're outside in the sun
Eat food full of nutrients that are good for your eyes. Kale and spinach are examples of dark, leafy greens that contain the antioxidant lutein. Albacore tuna, trout, and halibut are a few foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. Consume foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and liver to get vitamin A.
Avoid smoking to prevent blurry vision.

Regularly have comprehensive eye exams, especially if you or a family member has a history of eye conditions to detect signs of blurred vision.
To lower the risk of infection, wash your hands before putting on or removing contact lenses.
When using heavy equipment or performing tasks like painting and home repairs, put on safety goggles to prevent eye issues due to blurry vision.

Blurry Vision Treatment

One of the treatments for blurry vision brought on by a dip in blood sugar is consuming foods high in fast-acting sugars. This also includes juice and candies. You can also take glucose tablets to raise your blood sugar levels.

There may be additional treatments for blurry vision, depending on the ailment causing your symptoms. They might include eye drops, laser surgery, or therapies to treat underlying diseases.

Natural treatments that can be effective for blurry vision

Depending on the root reason for your hazy vision, you may be able to see better with these natural remedies and lifestyle modifications:

Rest and recovery: Make sure you're getting enough quality sleep because your eyes require rest, just like the rest of your body. Use the 20-20-20 rule to time your breaks if you spend a lot of time working at a computer. This can help prevent your vision from getting hazy or blurred.
Simply move your eyes to an item at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds, once every 20 minutes, to follow the 20-20-20 rule.
Lubricate the eyes: Blinking a few times or using a warm compress to massage the eyelids gently may be all it takes to reduce blurriness if dry eyes are the problem. This may activate the eyelid's meibomian or oil glands, preventing blurry vision.
Additionally, you can buy artificial tears over the counter at a nearby pharmacy or online. To avoid dry eyes brought on by straining, they keep the eyes moist.
Enhance the air quality: Use a humidifier if you live in a dry climate to avoid dry eyes. Especially at night, avoid having air blow directly into your face so that you don’t harm your eyes with blurry vision.
Quit smoking: Smoking can aggravate various eye conditions, including AMD, cataracts, and damage to the optic nerve. Smoke from cigarettes can aggravate dry eyes even more, which can be one of the leading causes of blurry vision.
Clean your contact lenses: Make careful to wash your hands and properly clean your contact lenses if you wear them. If you follow the recommended procedures, contact lenses can be disinfected. Avoid putting on your contact lenses before bed; it could be harmful and lead to hazy or blurry vision.

Avoid allergens: Avoid whatever your allergy is to prevent and treat allergies.
For instance, if you have a dust allergy, regularly clean your bedroom to prevent the accumulation of dust that could harm your eyes while you sleep. Close the windows and use the air conditioning that can filter out allergens if your allergies are caused by outside allergens to prevent blurry vision.
If none of these methods are effective, speak with your doctor about antihistamine eye drops that could help to relieve blurry vision.
Some are OTC (over-the-counter), while others need a prescription.
Take omega-3 fatty acids.: According to research, omega-3 fatty acids can help persons with blurry eye symptoms. To verify these findings, an additional study is required.
You can obtain omega-3 fatty acids through supplements, but you can also do so by increasing your intake of:
- Fatty Fish
- Algae
- Flax Seed
- Walnuts
Before taking dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, see a doctor. This is because they can make bleeding more likely.
Keep your eyes safe: When outdoors in the sun, wearing sunglasses is one approach to protect your eyes. Select sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays to prevent blurred vision.
Take vitamin A: Lack of vitamin A-rich foods in the diet can cause dry eyes and other vision issues like blurry vision.
Provitamin A carotenoids are present in plant-based foods, including Retinol and Retinyl Esters in animal products like dairy, liver, and fish.
Foods rich in Vitamin A include:
- Sweet Potatoes
- Carrots
- Kale
- Red Peppers
- Spinach
- Butternut Squash