Some of the Key Causes of Blurred Vision

Published on September 18, 2015

Our vision is something that many of us take for granted but from time to time even those that think they have healthy eyesight may experience unexpected problems. One common issue that can arise is blurred vision and this is something that can arise for a variety of different reasons. The causes of blurred vision can vary and while in some cases the problem may be a temporary or very short term one, there are other times when it may be a sign of something more serious.

It is therefore well worth familiarising yourself with the various common blurred vision causes, as this may give you an idea of what the problem might be if you suffer from this condition in the future. When you suffer from blurred vision, the sharpness of your eyesight is affected in either one or both eyes. This can make things look hazy and out of focus when you look at them.

 

What causes blurred vision?

The wide range of possible causes of blurred vision mean that you may not always have an immediate idea of what is causing the problem, which means that you may have to seek assistance from a professional. Some of the more common possible causes of this condition include:

• Myopia: Also referred to as nearsightedness, myopia can result in blurring of the vision in either one eye or in both. There may also be other symptoms that indicate the presence of myopia, such as headaches, squinting, and strain on the eyes. This is where you experience blurred vision when you are looking at things in the distance and in order to correct the problem you may need to consider glasses, contact lenses or laser eye surgery.

• Hyperopia: This condition is also known as farsightedness, and this is where the blurred vision occurs when you are looking at things that are close by. Trying to focus on objects that are close-up when you have hyperopia can cause discomfort and strain on the eyes. Again, the usual treatment for this condition is to wear glasses, contact lenses or opt for laser eye surgery.

• Astigmatism: Often caused by having a cornea that has abnormalities in terms of shape, this is another condition that can result in blurred vision. With this particular condition, the blurring can be with both distant objects and those that are close by. This is another problem that can be treated by wearing glasses, contact lenses or by having surgery.

• Presbyopia: Like hyperopia, this condition can cause blurred vision with nearby objects such as when trying to read. However, the cause of this blurred vision differs from hyperopia. With this particular condition, the blurring is caused by the lens inside the eye becoming hardened, which is something that occurs with age. This problem therefore tends to affect people over the age of around 40-45.

• Dry eye syndrome: If you suffer from dry eye syndrome, as many people do, you may find that this results in blurred vision amongst other things. Lack of lubrication in the eyes can cause discomfort and fluctuations when it comes to your vision as well as making objects appear blurry.

• Pregnancy: Many women find that they suffer from either double vision or blurred vision when they are pregnant, and this is perfectly natural. It happens because the shape and thickness of the cornea may alter as a result of hormonal changes.

It is worth noting that problems such as blurred vision can be avoided and even rectified by taking certain steps, such as eye exercises. There are a number of muscles that surround the eye and the health of your vision can often be dependent on the strength of these muscles – much in the same way as any other muscles in your body. Doing simple yet effective eye exercises such as those outlined in ‘How to Improve Eyesight’ will help to train and strengthen these muscles, which in turn can reduce the risk of problems such as blurred vision.

Other possible causes of blurred vision

In addition to this conditions and issues, there are also a number of other possible causes of blurred vision. If you have had LASIK eye corrective surgery you may experience blurriness for either a short period of time such as a day or two or maybe even for a few weeks. However, this should clear up on its own. If you are using certain medications or eye drops, you may also experience short term blurred vision. Even something such as wearing your contact lenses too much can cause blurred vision due to proteins and debris building on the lenses.

Of course, you do need to bear in mind that blurred vision that doesn’t clear up on its own could be indicative of something more serious, so it is important to ensure you see a professional if you have concerns about your vision.

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