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?
“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.
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.
