Blurred Vision: 14 Potential Causes (and When to See a Doctor)
Published on February 19, 2026
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Sudden blurred vision is alarming, to say the least. It occurs when your eyesight is no longer sharp, making it hard to see fine details. Vision changes can happen for a number of reasons, some of which are no major cause for concern, such as dry eye or fatigue. But others are serious enough to warrant a trip to the emergency department.
Here’s how to tell if you might need immediate treatment and what to try to address your symptoms.
What Causes Blurry Vision That Gradually Gets Worse?
A number of medical conditions can cause blurred vision that gradually worsens over days, weeks, or months. While these are worth addressing with your medical team, they don’t typically require emergency care.
“Gradual blurry vision is often related to chronic or progressive eye conditions that are treatable, but delaying care can still lead to preventable vision loss,” says Jacqueline M. Bowen, a doctor of optometry and the president of the American Optometric Association (AOA), who treats patients in Greeley, Colorado.
1. Refractive Errors
Refractive errors happen when differences in the shape of your eye bend light in a way that makes vision blurry.
“It is the most common cause of blurry vision and is corrected by glasses and contacts,” says Amy Walsh, MD, a board-certified emergency physician at HealthPartners in Amery, Wisconsin.
Refractive errors include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), presbyopia (age-related blurred up-close vision), and astigmatism.
2. Eyestrain
You may experience eyestrain after staring at your computer all day or during a long drive. This common issue occurs when your eyes have to work harder than usual due to factors such as glare, reflections, and a lower blink rate. Along with blurry vision, you might also experience headaches, eye irritation, and neck and shoulder pain, Dr. Bowen says.
Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something at least 20 feet away, she suggests, to relax your eye muscles and reduce strain. You can also try positioning your computer monitor so it’s at eye level and adjusting the contrast and brightness settings to enhance visibility and lessen eyestrain.
3. Dry Eye Syndrome
When your eyes don’t produce regular or enough lubrication, you may get blurry vision, Bowen says. This can happen to anyone, but it’s more common if you’re 50 or older, wear contact lenses, or have an underlying health condition that affects your tear production. You might also experience stinging, burning, sensitivity to light, or feeling like something’s in your eye. “Treatment may include lubricants, prescription eye drops, specialty contact lenses, and in-office treatments that help restore tear film stability,” she says.
4. Glaucoma
“Glaucoma is a sight-threatening disease that damages the optic nerve, usually from elevated eye pressure,” Bowen says.
There are two types of glaucoma: one that progresses gradually and another that comes on suddenly (more on that below). “In the gradual type, called open-angle glaucoma, vision will start to blur at the edge of the visual field, then progress toward the center as it worsens,” Dr. Walsh says. Most of the time, open-angle glaucoma worsens so slowly that people don’t notice any symptoms until later stages of the disease. It’s typically treated with eye drops, laser treatment, or surgery to reduce eye pressure, Bowen says.
5. Cataracts
“Cataracts cloud the eye’s natural lens, scattering light and reducing clarity,” Bowen says. More common after 40, you may also experience double vision, light sensitivity, and trouble seeing well at night. Cataract treatment involves surgically removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens, she says.
6. Medication Side Effects
Blurred vision may be a side effect of certain medications, including some corticosteroids, antihistamines, and antipsychotics.
These medications can alter your ability to focus your eyes, your tear production, or your eye pressure in ways that can lead to blurred vision, Bowen says. Always talk to a healthcare provider before stopping a medication. “Treatment involves adjusting the medication with the prescribing provider or managing symptoms with targeted eye care therapies,” she says.
7. Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Common after 50, age-related macular degeneration involves damage to the macula, a part of the eye that sharpens your central vision.
This type of vision loss makes the middle of your field of vision blurry and details harder to see, while your peripheral vision remains clear, Bowen says. “Treatment may include use of visual aids, medication injections, and specific light therapy techniques,” she adds.
8. Diabetic Retinopathy
In people with diabetes, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the eyes, leading to distorted vision. Alongside blurriness, you may also see blank or dark areas or notice colors seem washed out or faded.
Your eye doctor will work with your endocrinologist to help you monitor and manage your diabetes and associated eye problems, Bowen says. Depending on the severity, you may need laser therapy, injections, or surgery to treat your vision.
What Causes Vision to Suddenly Become Blurry?
Sudden blurred vision is more likely to require immediate care than gradual blurry vision. “It can be caused by more serious health concerns like strokes, and some causes require rapid treatment to prevent permanent vision loss,” Walsh says.
1. Trauma to the Eye
An injury to your eye (such as from a car crash or playing sports), chemical exposure, or something getting stuck in your eye can all cause sudden blurry vision, Walsh says, along with pain, blood in the eye, and changes in pupil size or shape.
Because vision loss could be permanent, she recommends getting checked out as soon as possible. Sometimes eye trauma results in a corneal abrasion, or a scratch on the cornea, Bowen says. Corneal abrasion treatment typically involves eye drops, special contact lenses, or a period of time wearing an eye patch.
2. Migraine
Migraine is a neurological condition that causes a moderate to severe headache, nausea, and light sensitivity. There are two main types of migraines: those with or without aura. Migraines with aura can cause vision changes, including blurred vision, eye pain, and transient blind or colored spots. Research suggests that about 13 percent of people with migraine experience migraine with aura. An even rarer type of migraine called retinal migraine can cause blurred vision in just one eye. Treatment involves rest, pain medication, and preventive medication if attacks happen frequently, Bowen says.
3. Concussion
This type of brain injury can result in symptoms including sensitivity to light, headaches, nausea and vomiting, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, and blurry vision.
“A concussion disrupts visual processing in the brain and the function of oculomotor skills, which can affect clarity, focus, and eye coordination,” Bowen says. If you recently sustained a serious impact to your head or experienced violent shaking (for example in a car crash) and your vision is blurry, see a doctor. Treatment includes rest and vision therapy, an extensive rehabilitation regimen that involves guided exercises to improve visual tracking, focus, and eye movement.
4. Stroke
Like migraine, stroke can also cause a bad headache and blurry vision. Other symptoms include facial drooping, weakness on one side, and difficulty speaking. It is imperative to go to the ER right away if you suspect you’re having a stroke — prompt care can greatly reduce the risk of disability or death.
Depending on the stroke type and severity, emergency medical professionals may administer medication or perform a procedure to limit the overall damage, including to areas of the brain involving vision. Around 60 to 65 percent of stroke survivors live with some lasting vision changes.
5. Detached Retina
The retina, the lining on the back of the eye, can tear or separate, resulting in blurry vision, Bowen says. Usually, this vision loss is significant. People describe it as if a curtain has come down over their vision, Walsh says.
You might notice new flashes, shadows, or floaters, and you should report these to your eye doctor as soon as possible, she adds. This is more common with age and in people who have had eye surgery. It’s typically treated with surgery to repair the retina. Emergency care is necessary and time-sensitive, so go to the hospital immediately if you think you may have a detached retina.
6. Angle-Closure Glaucoma
This sudden-onset form of glaucoma happens when your iris (the colored part of your eye) bulges forward, blocking the eye’s drainage system and causing a rapid increase in pressure in the eye, Walsh says. Often, this is painful enough to cause nausea and vomiting. “This can be due to injury, medications, tumors, or even having your eyes dilated,” she notes. The sudden increase in pressure typically also causes headache, eye pain, redness, nausea, and vomiting, she says. Treatment involves medication or surgery. Go to the emergency department immediately if you have symptoms. While angle-closure glaucoma is three times less common than gradual open-angle glaucoma, it accounts for half of all cases of glaucoma-related blindness.
When to See a Doctor
If you have gradually worsening blurry vision, talk to an eye doctor about what’s going on, especially if you also have:
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Trouble seeing on the sides of your vision
- Itchy eyes or discharge
- Difficulty distinguishing between colors
- Diabetes or a family history of it
They’ll do a comprehensive eye exam to look for refraction errors and signs of other vision problems and health concerns, Bowen says.
Other, more serious conditions require emergency care. ER doctors can rule out certain causes, treat immediate needs, and refer you to specialists if your condition can wait, Walsh says.
Seek immediate treatment care for sudden blurry vision if you also have:
- Temporary or persistent partial or full blindness in one or both eyes
- Temporary or lasting double vision
- A curtain over your vision
- Blind spots or distorted vision
- Eye pain
- Red eye
- Vision loss associated with other neurological symptoms, such as facial drooping, difficulty speaking, or arm weakness
“Acting quickly at these symptoms can be sight-saving,” Bowen says.
The Takeaway
- There are many potential causes of blurred vision, including eyestrain, dry eye, retinal detachment, and migraines. You may not always know exactly why your vision is affected; an ophthalmologist or emergency healthcare provider is better suited to diagnose the cause.
- Some causes of blurry vision — including glaucoma, detached retina, and stroke — require prompt treatment to save your sight and, potentially, your life.
- Always talk to a doctor about gradually worsening blurry vision.
- Seek emergency care for sudden and severe blurry vision, especially if it’s accompanied by pain, fever, or signs of a stroke.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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- Datta S et al. The 20/20/20 Rule: Practicing Pattern and Associations With Asthenopic Symptoms. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. May 17, 2023.
- Eyestrain. Mayo Clinic. July 2, 2024.
- Dry Eye. National Eye Institute. August 6, 2025.
- Understanding Glaucoma: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment. American Academy of Ophthalmology. October 29, 2024.
- What Are Cataracts? American Academy of Ophthalmology. December 1, 2025.
- What to Do When Medications Affect Your Vision. Cleveland Clinic. December 28, 2020.
- Al-Namaeh M. Systemic Medications and Their Ocular Side Effects. Cureus. December 2, 2024.
- Understanding Macular Degeneration. American Academy of Ophthalmology. November 25, 2025.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment. American Academy of Ophthalmology. December 5, 2025.
- Recognizing and Treating Eye Injuries. American Academy of Ophthalmology. April 10, 2023.
- Corneal Abrasion and Erosion. American Academy of Ophthalmology. December 2, 2025.
- Campellone JV. Migraine. National Library of Medicine. February 11, 2025.
- Singla M et al. Visual Aura in Migraine: An Analysis of 165 Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India. Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice. March 3, 2021.
- Retinal Migraine. National Health Service. January 19, 2023.
- Symptoms of Mild TBI and Concussion. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 15, 2025.
- Vision Therapy. Penn Medicine. September 15, 2025.
- Stroke Symptoms. American Stroke Association.
- Stroke Treatment. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. May 26, 2023.
- Stalin A et al. An International Survey of Optometric Management of Stroke Survivors. Annals of Medicine. November 4, 2024.
- Detached Retina. American Academy of Ophthalmology. December 4, 2025.
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- Dave SD et al. Chronic Closed Angle Glaucoma. StatPearls. January 25, 2024.
Meet Our Experts
Ghazala O'Keefe, MD
Medical Reviewer
Ghazala O'Keefe, MD, is an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, where she also serves as the section director for uveitis and as a fellowship director. A retina and uveitis specialist, she cares for both pediatric patients and adults with inflammatory and infectious eye diseases. She oversees the largest uveitis section in the Southeast and manages the care of complex patients with physicians from other disciplines.
She is the lead editor of the EyeWiki uveitis section. She is a member of the executive committee of the American Uveitis Society and was inducted into the International Uveitis Study Group. She has served as the director of the Southeastern Vitreoretinal Seminar since 2019.
She is the lead editor of the EyeWiki uveitis section. She is a member of the executive committee of the American Uveitis Society and was inducted into the International Uveitis Study Group. She has served as the director of the Southeastern Vitreoretinal Seminar since 2019.
Sarah Klein
Author
Sarah Klein is a Boston-based health journalist with more than 15 years experience in lifestyle media. She has held staff positions at Livestrong, Health, Prevention, and Huffington Post. She is a graduate of the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University, and a National Academy of Sports Medicine–certified personal trainer. She moderated a panel on accessibility in fitness at SXSW in 2022, completed the National Press Foundation’s 2020 Vaccine Boot Camp, and attended Mayo Clinic’s Journalist Residency in 2019.