27 February 2024 , 16:11
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Blurry vision is a common eye problem that can affect one or both eyes at the same time.
The cold and windy weather seems to be making it worse, with nearly 15,000 people searching for 'blurred vision' on Google every month. In fact, searches have gone up by 22 per cent in the last three months. It's clearly a big worry for many people, with 2,400 people looking up 'sudden blurry vision in both eyes' (a 21 per cent increase over three months) and 5,400 searching for 'blurry vision in one eye' (a 22 per cent increase over three months).
There are lots of reasons why your vision might get worse over time, or why you might suddenly find things look blurry. Some of these aren't anything to worry about, but others need to be sorted out straight away, reports Wales Online.
Roshni Patel, an optometrist and Head of Professional Services at Lenstore, has shared some of the things that could be causing the problem and how to stop your eyes from going blurry:
1. Refractive error
Refractive errors include being long or short-sighted, having astigmatism and presbyopia. If you're short-sighted, things far away will look blurry. If you're long-sighted, you'll struggle to focus on things close up.
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Astigmatism can make things look blurry and twisted, affecting both close-up and far-off sight. Presbyopia is when your eyesight gets worse as you age, making everyday tasks like reading harder.
2. Eye strain
A study by Lenstore found that over three quarters of Brits have had headaches from looking at a screen for too long, and 83% have felt their eyes strain. Staring at computer screens, your phone or a book with small print can make your eyes tired, which might make your vision blurry, especially in low light.
It's good to take breaks often to look at things far away - the 20-20-20 rule is a great way to do this. Every 20 minutes, spend 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet away.
3. Diabetes
If you have diabetes, it's really important to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can hurt the blood vessels in your retina, making it swell and leak. This could make it hard to see clearly and notice details. This can happen in one or both eyes.
Most people will see better as their blood sugar levels get better, but remember, once some parts of the retina are damaged, they might not get better and you could lose your sight forever. Keeping blood sugar levels under control is really important for people with diabetes to slow down or even stop diabetic retinopathy from getting worse.
4. Cataracts
A cataract is when a protein builds up in the lens of your eye, making it cloudy. The lens lets light into your eye, so if it's blocked by a cataract, your vision can become foggy or fuzzy, like there's a thin veil over your eyes.
Cataracts can happen in one or both eyes and usually occur as we get older. You can have a cataract removed with surgery. This is a common procedure for eye doctors and it usually makes your vision clear again.
5. Optic neuritis
Optic neuritis is when the optic nerve, which connects your eyes to your brain, becomes inflamed. This usually happens after an autoimmune reaction. If you have optic neuritis, your vision might be blurry and seem dim. Colours, especially red, might look washed out or pale. This condition usually only affects one eye.
Optic neuritis often gets better over time, and once you've recovered, your vision should go back to normal. But, optic neuritis needs to be checked out, so if you have any of these symptoms, make sure to book an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as you can.
6. Detached retina
The retina is a thin layer at the back of your eyes that sends pictures through the optic nerve to your brain, giving us our sight. If the retina moves away from where it should be, either because of an injury or age-related health conditions, it can seriously affect your sight.
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The common signs of a retinal detachment include seeing flashes of light and an increase in floaters in the affected eye. If not treated immediately, it can lead to permanent vision loss. If you spot any symptoms, make an urgent appointment with your optometrist.
How to stop your vision from getting blurry
Roshni advised: "If you know that one of your family members has a genetic condition or one that can be inherited, tell your optometrist about this, so they can look out for any signs. Adults should have their eyes tested every two years, but if you notice sudden changes in your vision, you can always book an emergency appointment."
"A diet that's good for your eyes should include fruits and vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids that you can find in certain nuts and seeds, or fish like salmon or mackerel. You should also avoid smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Wearing sunglasses that protect against UV when you're in the sun will lower the risks of sun damage to your eyes."