5 Common Causes of Blurry Vision

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Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in Blog on September 13, 2022

Everyone experiences blurry vision at one time or another; it’s a common reality of modern life. As with headaches and “flu-like symptoms,” there can be literally hundreds of situations and conditions that can bring it on.

But before you frighten yourself with an exotic diagnosis from Dr. Google, consider whether your symptoms are caused by something simpler. While there are many, many things that can cause blurriness, but here are five of the most common blurry vision causes:

1. Digital eye strain.

More screen time means more eye strain … and modern society is more dependent on electronic devices than ever. When we’re not hopping from one videoconference to another, we’re glued to our smartphones and tablets, or treating ourselves to a streaming video marathon. All that blue light emitted from these devices is hard on our eyes. After a while, you may find yourself unable to focus any longer. Give yourself frequent screen breaks and consider a lifestyle change.

2. Outdated eyewear.

You may be able to get a couple good years out of your prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, but odds are you’ll need to update them one a year or even sooner. Eyes change subtly over time, causing them to get out of sync with your most recent prescription. Eventually, you’ll experience the blurry vision, headaches and tired eyes associated with inappropriate eyewear.

3. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Macular degeneration is the deterioration of the macula – the part of the eye responsible for sharp central vision. Vision loss caused by AMD generally occurs in people aged 50 and older and is characterized by blurriness in the center field of vision.

4. Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is characterized by high intraocular pressure, which compresses the optic nerve, causing blurry vision. It’s one of the most common causes of blindness in individuals 60 and older.

5. Cataracts.

Everyone who reaches old age will eventually develop cataracts, which cloud the eye. The great news is that cataracts are easily treatable! An eye surgeon can even do an implantable contact lens procedure at the time of cataract removal surgery to correct refractive errors at the same time.

In fact, all five of these common causes of blurry vision can be addressed to varying degrees with LASIK, LASIK alternatives and implantable lenses. If you’re experiencing blurriness, schedule an eye appointment to determine the cause. Your eye doctor will work with you to find a vision correction solution that’s best for you.

Missouri Eye Institute has helped thousands of patients attain freedom from glasses and contact lenses. Contact us at (800) 383-3831 to schedule a LASIK consultation or visit MissouriEye.com to learn more about our services.