Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: you’re out with your family enjoying some fun in the sun. After a while, though, you find your eyes getting watery and irritated, and it’s getting tougher to see clearly.
If this has happened to you, then you’ve probably experienced dry eye syndrome. We focus on dry eyes quite a lot at EyeZone Nevada (it’s one of the most common eye issues amongst Americans), but a common question we get asked is if dry eyes cause blurry vision?
We’re committed to providing simple but effective solutions to your eye problems. That’s why we’re going to look at the visual issues dry eyes may cause, how they might occur, and what you can do to manage them.
What is Blurry Vision?
Blurry vision is more or less self-describing. Quite simply, it’s the inability to see objects clearly, either in one eye or both. You may only have blurry vision at a certain distance, or you may experience blurriness at all distances.
How blurry your vision is depends on what may be causing your symptoms. In the case of dry eyes, you may experience blurriness at all distances.
The Connection Between Dry Eyes & Blurry Vision
To answer the eponymous question: Yes, dry eyes can lead to blurry vision, but the next question we should be asking is “why?”
There are various reasons for how dry eyes can develop, but specific issues could lead to visual problems like blurry vision. Some of these issues can include:
- Poor contact lens fittings
- Excessive digital device use
- Allergies
- Dehydration
- Medications
Each of these issues can affect tear production and the quality of your tears. In response, your eyes can start to feel tired, irritated, and even itchy. As these symptoms progress, it’ll become harder for you to focus and find clear vision.
The Difference Between Blurry Vision & Dry Eye
Even though blurry vision is a common dry eye symptom, it may indicate more severe eye health issues.
Other issues that can cause blurry vision can include:
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Diabetic eye disease
- Laser eye surgery complications
If you have blurry vision, even if you aren’t experiencing dry eyes, we recommend booking an appointment with our team to determine what could be causing your issues.
When is Blurry Vision a Serious Problem?
Aside from eye issues, blurry vision may also indicate other, more severe health problems like a stroke. If these symptoms start to develop alongside your blurry vision, please reach out to an emergency room:
- Difficulty speaking
- Severe headaches
- Loss of muscle control on 1 side of your body
- Facial drooping
Sjorgren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus are also health conditions that could cause dry eyes and lead to blurry vision. If you suddenly start developing blurry vision, this may be an emergency and you should contact a medical professional as soon as possible.
Preventing Blurry Vision
The best way to prevent blurry vision caused by dry eyes is to book an appointment with our team. However, you can keep blurry vision at bay by using some easy-to-use tactics you can practice at home. Some of these tips can include:
- Limiting your digital device use
- Adding a humidifier in your room
- Staying away from smokey areas
- Wear sunglasses on sunny days
- Drinking plenty of water
- Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night
We want you to enjoy your vision as comfortably as possible! When you visit EyeZone Nevada’s Dry Eye Relief Clinic, we’ll take a deep, detailed look at the cause of your symptoms, determine the health of your eyes, and provide solutions tailored to your needs.