Blurry vision

Blurry sight can simply be caused by a deterioration in your vision. This sometimes happens as you grow older, but people experience blurry vision at all ages. It’s important to go for regular eye examinations, and to keep your glasses or contact lens prescription up to date.

Nearsightedness is a common refractive error that can lead to hazy eyesight combined with squinting, headaches and eyestrain. Nearby objects will appear clearly, while you may struggle to see people and objects that are further away. Most commonly, myopia is described as a condition where the eyeball is too long in relation to the focusing power of the eye lens and cornea. Causes of myopia include genetic and environmental factors.

Hyperopia (see below), or working on digital devices such as tablets, laptops or smartphones for long periods of time can put a lot of strain on your eyes, and lead to blurry eyesight. This can be a temporary problem that you can simply correct by resting your eyes. If your eyes tend to tire easily, talk to your eye care practitioner about specialised anti-fatigue and digital lenses.

This is a naturally occurring, age-related visual condition. Most people start to notice blurry vision up close (when reading a book or looking at your smartphone, for example) around the age of 40 or older. It’s caused by a gradual thickening and loss of flexibility of the lens inside the eye. It often starts with eye strain, then progresses to near vision discomfort, and later on to all-day blurry vision.

Farsightedness is a type of refractive error that makes distant objects appear in focus, while nearby objects appear out of focus and blurry. However, hyperopia is experienced differently and for some, vision may be blurry, near and far.

A refractive error can generally be caused by an irregularly-shaped cornea. Astigmatism can lead to distorted vision, both near and far. Some people are born with astigmatism, but it can also present and develop gradually over time.

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication associated with diabetes that damages the retinal blood vessels. Diabetics are advised to manage their blood sugar levels together with a medical professional. Early detection is key, so consult your eye doctor immediately if you suffer from diabetes and blurry vision, see floaters, or struggle to differentiate colours.

Low blood pressure is sometimes to blame for dizziness and blurry vision. You may get cloudy vision when you exercise or spend a lot of time in the heat. Low blood pressure can be a sign of another underlying problem, so consult a healthcare professional if you continually experience these symptoms.

Glaucoma  is a serious eye disease that can lead to blindness. It can present with symptoms of tunnel vision, blurred vision, eye pain and other visual disturbances. There are acute and gradual forms of this disease – all of which require medical diagnosis and treatment.

Blurred and cloudy vision, halos, and glare can all indicate that you have a  cataract or cataracts. Although cataracts can cause blindness, it’s a very treatable eye disease and cataract surgery is usually performed with great success.

Particles such as dust or sand can scratch the cornea, creating an irritation and blurry vision. Always wear safety glasses when you’re welding or doing carpentry, and consult a doctor immediately if it feels like something is lodged in your eye.

Retinal detachment occurs when the retina is shifted from its normal position, or when intraocular pressure increases due to glaucoma or blunt trauma. It’s a medical emergency that should be treated immediately to avoid blindness, so seek help if you experience blurred vision, flashes of light, shadowed vision or floaters.

The eye tissue may swell or become inflamed when there is an eye infection, a bruise, foreign body or toxin in the eye, or if the body is affected by a number of diseases. Inflammation or uveitis is characterised by eye pain, blurred vision, redness and sometimes light sensitivity.

Due to hormonal changes in the body, blurred vision is a fairly common side effect among pregnant women. However, a change in vision can also be an indication of more serious pregnancy-related problems such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, so inform your practitioner of any symptoms.

A physical injury to the eye or eye socket is sometimes associated with eye pain and blurry sight. This can happen during contact sports such as boxing, or ball sports where a flying ball can hit one or both eyes at a high speed. Eye trauma is a broad term, and the diagnosis should be narrowed down by a medical professional.

Blurred vision and a loss of vision fields (scotoma) is a key symptom of age-related macular degeneration. This is a leading cause of blindness among older people (50 and over) that presents as a gradual blurring and loss of vision.

Your eyes must be well-lubricated to be healthy and function normally. Chronic dry eyes can cause blurry vision, which is usually treated with lubricating or moisturising eye drops. Speak to your eye care professional if your eyes are severely dry.

The eye tissue may swell or become inflamed when there is an eye infection, a bruise, foreign body or toxin in the eye, or if the body is affected by a number of diseases. Inflammation or uveitis is characterised by eye pain, blurred vision, redness and sometimes light sensitivity.

Due to hormonal changes in the body, blurred vision is a fairly common side effect among pregnant women. However, a change in vision can also be an indication of more serious pregnancy-related problems such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, so inform your practitioner of any symptoms.

A physical injury to the eye or eye socket is sometimes associated with eye pain and blurry sight. This can happen during contact sports such as boxing, or ball sports where a flying ball can hit one or both eyes at a high speed. Eye trauma is a broad term, and the diagnosis should be narrowed down by a medical professional.

Blurry vision can be an indication of any number of health-related issues. The sudden onset of hazy eyesight and dizziness should always be taken seriously. Rather seek medical attention if you’re in doubt.