What are the causes of sudden blurry vision?

Causes

Sudden blurry vision can be caused by various factors, including:

1. Refractive errors:

This is a disorder where there are changes in vision and the eyes can’t focus images correctly. The disorder includes following conditions: nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

2. Eye Dryness or Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) :

Insufficient tear production or poor tear quality can lead to temporary blurry vision.

3. Eye Injuries:

Trauma to the eye or any of its components can result in blurred vision.

4. Eye Infections:

Conditions like conjunctivitis (infection of the outside lining of your eye) or keratitis (inflammation of cornea) can cause sudden vision changes.

5. Migraines:

Few people who suffer from migraine attacks may often experience visual disturbances, including blurriness, as part of a migraine aura.

6. Glaucoma:

In this condition, the fluid build-up in the eye puts pressure on the optic nerve causing nerve damage, leading to partial vision loss or blindness. Sudden blurry vision can be a symptom of acute angle-closure glaucoma, a medical emergency.

7. Cataracts:

Eyes develop cataracts when the lenses become clouded and opaque. One of the symptoms of this condition is blurred vision.

8. Diabetes:

Diabetes-related retinopathy is an eye disease that affects the retina. This condition can cause blurred vision and even reduce your vision to the point of blindness.

9. Stroke:

Sudden blurry vision can be a warning sign of a stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack) affecting the visual pathways.

10. Retinal Detachment:

This is a serious eye condition which occurs when your retina tears away from the back of your eye and loses its blood and nerve supply. A sudden onset of blurry vision along with flashes of light or floaters can indicate a retinal detachment.

11. Medication side-effects:

Certain medications can affect vision temporarily or as a side-effect.

12. Age-related Macular Degeneration:

This is primarily an age-related retinal condition that causes blurred vision. It is the most common cause of vision loss in older adults.

What Causes Blurred Vision to Begin Suddenly?

While blurry vision typically develops gradually, certain serious conditions can cause it to occur suddenly. These include:

• Hyphema or bleeding inside the eye

• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)

• A sudden spike in blood pressure

• Retinal detachment due to aging, eye injury, etc.

• Concussion or a mild traumatic brain injury

• Eye infections and related tissue issues

• Migraine or severe, throbbing headache on one side of the head

• Eye injury

When to seek Help?

If you experience sudden blurry vision, especially if it persists or is accompanied by other symptoms like eye pain, flashes of light, or loss of peripheral vision, it’s essential to seek prompt medical evaluation.