What does blurred vision mean?

Clear, sharp vision can help you navigate the world, from reading traffic signs to making sure you don’t miss a step in your home. Blurred vision can make you feel like someone has put a filter over your eyes, and life is no longer in focus.

Blurred vision can affect your entire line of sight or just parts of your vision. This could include your peripheral vision, or how you see to the right or left of your field of vision. You can also experience blurred vision in only one eye.

Other ways to describe blurred vision include clouded or dim vision.

There can be many causes of blurred vision. Examples of common causes are:

People with diabetes can also experience blurred vision if their blood sugar levels fluctuate significantly.

You should call 911 or your local emergency services and get immediate medical attention if your blurred vision comes on suddenly and you have any of these symptoms:

These symptoms are similar to those of stroke.

Additional symptoms that may need immediate treatment include severe eye pain or sudden vision loss.

Vision that slowly worsens or other symptoms of blurred vision may require a visit to your primary care doctor or eye care specialist.

If you don’t already have a primary care doctor or eye care specialist, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Your doctor will diagnose the cause of your blurred vision by first taking an inventory of your symptoms. Examples of questions they may ask include:

  • When did you first start noticing the blurred vision?
  • What makes the blurred vision worse or better?

They may also ask about your personal medical history as well as a family history of eye conditions.

Eye tests

Your doctor may next want to perform a physical examination of your eyes. They may test your vision by asking you to read an eye chart. They might also perform other eye tests, such as:

Blood tests

Your doctor might also perform blood testing. Blood tests may be used to help them determine whether bacteria are in the blood. They can also use tests to obtain your white blood cell count (WBC) if they suspect there could be an infection.

When blurred vision is the result of a decrease in blood sugar, treatments include consuming foods high in fast-acting sugars. This includes juice and candies. You can also take glucose tablets that will increase your blood sugar quickly.

Other treatments for blurred vision can depend on the condition that’s causing your symptoms. They can include eye drops, laser surgeries, or medications to control the underlying conditions.

While it’s not always possible to prevent some causes of blurred vision, taking steps to care for your eyes can help prevent lifestyle-related causes.

Here are some tips for healthy vision:

  • Always wear sunglasses that provide broad-spectrum protection when you’re going out in the sun.
  • Eat a diet rich in eye-healthy nutrients. The antioxidant lutein can be found in dark, leafy green such as spinach and kale. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids include albacore tuna, trout, and halibut. Get vitamin A from sources such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and liver.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • Undergo regular comprehensive eye exams, especially if someone in your family has a history of an eye disease.
  • Wash your hands before putting on or taking out contact lenses to reduce infection risk.
  • Wear protective eyewear when operating heavy machinery or engaging in activities such as painting and home repairs.