Key Takeaways
- Dry eyes can indeed cause blurry vision.
- Blurry vision caused by dry eyes often comes and goes, and blinking may clear it up for a moment.
- Screen time, contact lens wear, age, some medications, and dry air are common contributors.
- Artificial tears, warm compresses, and in-office treatments like Icon IPL and TempSure can help.
- Sudden blur, pain, flashes, or floaters need same-day attention from an optometrist.
Dry Eyes & Blurry Vision
Yes, dry eyes can cause blurry vision. This happens when the tear film becomes unstable, leaving the surface of your eyes dry and causing light to focus incorrectly. Blurry vision caused by dry eyes often tends to come and go, and it usually clears up for a little while when you blink.
If you’re suffering from dry eye, our team at Waterdown Optometric Clinic can offer support and recommend a path forward.
Blurry Vision & Dry Eyes
Blurry vision caused by dry eyes is often hazy, filmy, or smeared, like there’s a thin layer of something between your eyes and the page. Symptoms tend to get worse if you spend a lot of time in front of a screen.
Other common symptoms of dry eye include:
- Stinging, burning, or a gritty feeling, like sand in your eye
- Redness and sensitivity to bright light
- Watery eyes (this is your body’s attempt to respond to dryness and irritation)
- Trouble wearing contact lenses comfortably through the day
Common Contributors to Dry Eye Blurriness
Screen Time & Reduced Blinking
When you’re locked into a spreadsheet or a good book, you blink less than you normally would. Blinking spreads tears across your eye, so screen time often contributes to dryness.
For many people, the 20-20-20 rule can help. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a chance to rest and recover.
Contact Lens Wear
Both fit and wear schedule matter more than people might expect. Contact lenses sometimes make dry eye symptoms worse, so it’s important to choose lenses that keep your eyes feeling comfortable. If your dry eye symptoms get worse the longer your lenses are on, it’s likely that your contacts are playing a part.
Age, Medications and Environment
Dry eye becomes more common in adults 50+, and hormonal changes play a role too. Some medications are associated with dryness, including antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants.
Your environment can also contribute. Wind, dry air, smoke, and forced-air heating can all leave your eyes feeling parched by mid-afternoon.
How to Relieve Blurry Vision from Dry Eyes
Artificial tears can help, but they often don’t address the underlying problem. For many people, warm compresses can help relieve blockages in the small glands along the eyelids.
You can also adjust your workspace and environment. Position your screen below eye level, run a humidifier at home during heating season, and reach for wraparound sunglasses when you’re outdoors on windy days.
In-Office Dry Eye Treatments in Waterdown
Before selecting a treatment, it’s important to determine the underlying cause of dry eye disease. A dry eye assessment at Waterdown Optometric Clinic includes the necessary technology and diagnostic testing to identify the cause and help us recommend the most appropriate treatment for your needs.
Our team at Waterdown Optometric Clinic offers Icon IPL for meibomian gland dysfunction, as well as TempSure radio frequency treatment for dry eyes. TempSure also offers aesthetic benefits for the delicate skin around the eyes.
If you’re suffering from inflammation, your optometrist may recommend prescription drops.
When Blurry Vision Needs an Eye Doctor in Waterdown
Some symptoms may suggest a more serious underlying issue. If you experience any of the following, visit your optometrist right away:
- Blurriness that comes on suddenly
- Blur that sticks around even after dry eye treatment
- Eye pain, flashes of light, new floaters, or loss of vision
Book Your Visit with a Waterdown Optometrist
Blurry vision from dry eyes is manageable once you know what you’re working with. Book an appointment with our team at Waterdown Optometric Clinic and let us help you sort your symptoms out.
