Can Dry Eyes Cause Blurry Vision?

Not Necessarily Connected

While blurry vision can be a symptom of dry eye, it can also be a sign of other, potentially more severe, eye problems. These include glaucoma, age related macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic eye disease.

Complications from LASIK surgery can also lead to blurry vision.

Blurry vision can also be a sign of serious health problems which aren’t strictly eye-related, like a stroke. If you develop symptoms like severe headaches, loss of muscle control over one side of the body, facial drooping, or difficulty speaking in addition to blurry vision, seek emergency help right away.

Additional conditions which can cause blurry vision include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Sjorgen's syndrome.

If you start rapidly developing blurry vision, seek medical advice as soon as possible, as it may indicate an emergency.

Ways to Prevent Blurry Vision

There are several steps you can take to try and prevent blurry vision, and to avoid dry eye.

These include:

• Staying properly hydrated
• Wearing sunglasses when outside on sunny days
• Avoiding smoky or dusty areas
• Using a humidifier in your room
• Limiting your time spent in front of screens
• Getting proper sleep at night (7 to 8 hours)

What to do if You Experience Blurry Vision

If you experience blurry vision for any significant period of time, you should see an eye doctor, who will be able to best determine whether you have dry eye or another condition.

One thing you can try, however, is blinking fully and frequently for several seconds. Because blinking re-spreads the tear film across the surface of the eyes, increased blinking can temporarily relieve your blurry vision. However, depending on the cause, this is unlikely to correct the underlying problem, and seeking professional advice remains the best option.