Symptom

Blurred vision

Sudden blurring needs urgent care

Medical reviewer Mr Mohamed Mohyudin· Last recorded site review

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When to get urgent help

  • Sudden blurring or loss of vision, especially in one eye
  • Blurring with eye pain, redness or light sensitivity
  • Flashes, a shower of floaters, or a dark shadow over your vision
  • Blurring with weakness, numbness or slurred speech

Common causes

Many things blur vision. These are some of the most common, with the conditions to read about next.

Short-sightednessDistant objects look blurred while near vision stays clear.Long-sightednessNear objects look blurred and the eyes tire with close work.AstigmatismAn unevenly curved eye blurs vision at all distances.PresbyopiaAge-related loss of near focus from your mid-40s.CataractsCloudy, hazy vision that builds slowly, often with glare.Dry eyeBlurring that comes and goes and clears when you blink.Age-related macular degenerationBlurred or distorted central vision in older adults.Diabetic retinopathyFluctuating or blurred vision in people with diabetes.Diabetic macular oedemaCentral blur or distortion from macular swelling in diabetes.

What can help

  • Book an eye test, as glasses correct many causes of blurring
  • Try lubricating drops if your eyes feel dry and gritty
  • Treat sudden blurring as urgent rather than waiting

Frequently asked questions

Why is my vision suddenly blurry?

Sudden blurring, especially in one eye or with pain, flashes or a shadow, needs urgent assessment. Gradual blurring is more often a focusing problem, cataract or dry eye.

Can blurred vision be fixed with glasses?

Often yes. Focusing problems such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia are corrected with glasses or contact lenses after an eye test.

Is blurred vision a sign of something serious?

It can be. Sudden blurring, blurring with pain or a shadow, or new blurring in someone with diabetes should be checked promptly.

Your next step

Take this to your appointment

Write down what has changed, when it started, your current medicines and the questions you want answered. Take these to your eye-care appointment.

Patient resourcesFind care where you live →

Sudden loss of sight, severe eye pain or a dark curtain across vision needs immediate assessment. Do not wait to complete a worksheet.

Trusted sources

For general background, these organisations provide eye-health information. This list is further reading, not a record that they reviewed this article.