Can Dry Eyes Cause Blurry Vision?

You’re staring at your computer screen, and the words start to swim together. Or maybe you’re driving, and the street signs all seem fuzzy for a moment. You blink a few times, and your vision clears up—but this frustrating, fluctuating vision repeats itself throughout the day.

This on-again, off-again blurriness can be confusing, but the solution is often simpler than you think. The cause of blurry vision is often dry eye. This is because, when your eyes lack the consistent, healthy tear film needed to focus light properly, your vision often becomes blurry or fuzzy.

The Direct Link Between Dry Eyes & Blurry Vision

Your vision relies on a smooth and stable layer of tears on the surface of your eye. When this tear film is disrupted by dryness, the surface of your eyes causes light to scatter, resulting in blurriness.

How a Rough Eye Surface Blurs Your Sight

Think of your tear film as a perfectly smooth window that you look through. Dry spots create rough, uneven patches on that window, which distorts what you see. This is why blinking often helps—it temporarily respreads your tears and smoothes their surface.

How Long Does Blurry Vision From Dry Eyes Last?

Dry eye-related blurriness often comes and goes. It’s often worse when you’re focused on a digital screen, reading, or toward the end of a long day.

What Causes Dry Eyes

Many factors in your daily routine can lead to dry eyes. It’s often a combination of your personal health, your habits, and even the environment you live and work in.

Dry eye itself occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears or when the tears you do have are of poor quality.

Health & Hormonal Factors

Your overall health plays a big part in how your eyes feel. Some common internal causes include:

• Age—many people over 65 experience some symptoms of dryness, as research shows aging increases dry eye risk

• Certain health conditions like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis

• Hormonal shifts that occur during pregnancy or menopause

• Side effects from medications like antihistamines or certain blood pressure drugs

Environmental & Lifestyle Triggers

Your surroundings and daily activities can also affect your tear film. Common triggers include:

• Long hours on a computer or phone—you tend to blink less often

• Dry or windy climates—city living can also expose your eyes to different air qualities

• Indoor environments with heating or air conditioning

• Extended wear of contact lenses, though some specialty contact lenses are designed for those with dry eye

How Do You Know If It’s Dry Eye?

It can be tough to know exactly what’s causing blurry vision. If the cause is related to dry eyes, you'll likely notice certain other symptoms. Paying attention to these clues can help you connect the dots.

Blurry vision connected to dry eye often has the following properties:

• Vision that gets fuzzy then clear throughout the day

• Blurriness that improves for a moment right after you blink

• Difficulty with focus, especially while reading or using a computer

• Increased sensitivity to bright lights

Other general symptoms of dry eye often include:

• A scratchy or gritty feeling, like sand in your eye

• Stinging or burning sensations

• Redness in your eyes

• Watery eyes (this is your body's response to combat the dryness)

How to Find Relief for Dry Eyes & Blurry Vision

The good news is that you can take simple steps to manage your symptoms and improve your eye comfort. These solutions range from easy at-home changes to the comprehensive eye care services that an optometrist can provide. 

At-Home Care & Simple Fixes

Simple changes in your daily routine can provide significant relief. Taking regular breaks from screens, using a humidifier in your home or office, and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water are great first steps.

Can Eye Drops Help Blurry Vision?

Yes, over-the-counter artificial tears can provide quick, temporary relief by adding moisture back to your eyes. If you plan to use them frequently, look for preservative-free options, as these are often gentler for regular use.

The Role of Diet & Vitamins

What you eat can also support your eye health. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids—found in fish like salmon and tuna—may support healthy tear production. However, it's worth noting that some studies suggest fish oil supplements may not effectively treat dry eye, so it's always a good idea to discuss your options with a professional.

When to Talk to an Optometrist in Los Angeles

If at-home solutions don't provide enough relief, or if your symptoms interfere with your daily life, it’s time to seek professional advice from one of our optometrists. An eye doctor can properly identify the underlying cause of your dry eyes and help you find lasting comfort.

Create a Long-Term Plan

Working with an eye care professional helps you move beyond temporary fixes. A proper plan can help manage your symptoms for the long term, protecting your eye health and keeping your vision clear. You don't have to just live with the discomfort.

At ProVision, we’re committed to helping your whole family see clearly and comfortably. If you're struggling with blurry vision or other symptoms of dry eye, we are here to help. 

Schedule an appointment today to find the right solution for you.