Symptom3 min read
Blurred vision
Blurred vision is a loss of sharpness and inability to see fine detail. Causes range from presbyopia and cataracts to diabetes and stroke, and some are emergencies.
MedlinePlus classes blurred vision among vision problems (along with halos, blind spots and vision loss). Causes include presbyopia, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, infection, inflammation and injury, retinal detachment, optic neuritis, stroke or transient ischaemic attack, brain tumours, temporal arteritis, migraine, and the effects of some medicines.
The assessment tests mentioned include a dilated eye examination, slit-lamp examination, refraction testing and eye pressure measurement (MedlinePlus). In diabetes, retinopathy is considered, and it is covered on its own page.
In one minute123
- What is it?
- Loss of sharpness of vision and an inability to see fine detail.
- Who is usually affected?
- Any age; it is linked to diabetes, eye diseases and some brain and vascular diseases.
- Acute or chronic?
- Temporary with some medicines or migraine, and gradual or sudden depending on the cause.
- Main symptoms
- It may be accompanied by halos, blind spots or eye pain.
- Red flags?
- Yes: sudden loss of vision, double vision, a curtain across the eye, or pain with redness.
- Preventable?
- Regular eye examinations, and control of blood sugar and blood pressure in people who have diabetes or high blood pressure.
What is it?
Blurred vision is a loss of sharpness of vision and an inability to see fine detail; together with halos, blind spots and vision loss it falls under vision problems (MedlinePlus).
NIDDK and CDC list it among the symptoms of diabetes.
Possible causes
According to MedlinePlus: presbyopia, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, infection, inflammation or eye injury, floaters, night blindness, retinal detachment, optic neuritis, stroke or transient ischaemic attack, brain tumour, bleeding inside the eye, temporal arteritis, migraine, and the effects of some medicines.
How it is assessed
Tests that may be done: a dilated eye examination, slit-lamp examination, refraction testing (glasses) and eye pressure measurement.
When do you need urgent help?
Call emergency services now 998
- Partial or complete loss of vision, double vision, a sensation of a curtain being drawn across the eye, sudden blind spots or halos, or sudden blurring with eye pain (especially with redness): seek emergency care.1
See your doctor within days
- Gradual change in vision, difficulty seeing at night or to the sides, blurring at different distances, or having diabetes or a family history of it: book a comprehensive eye examination.1
Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.
Common questions
Is blurred vision serious in a person with diabetes?
It may indicate diabetic eye disease and warrants an eye examination; MedlinePlus recommends a comprehensive eye examination for anyone with diabetes or a family history of it.1
Questions for your doctor
- Do I need an examination of the back of the eye (fundus)?
- Could my medicines be causing blurred vision?
- Is it related to diabetes or blood pressure?
- What are the emergency warning signs for my eyes?
References
- 1MedlinePlus. Vision problems. medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003029.htmHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 2NIDDK / NIH. Symptoms & Causes of Diabetes. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/symptoms-causesHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-03
- 3CDC. Symptoms of Diabetes. www.cdc.gov/diabetes/signs-symptoms/Health agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
Review status: Edited content · Last updated:
Change log
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Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.