Dizziness and Blurred Vision

blurred vision and dizziness

Dizziness and blurred vision can result from various factors, including medication reactions, stress, and underlying health conditions. It’s crucial to identify the root cause, whether symptoms are mild or severe.

Recognizing Symptoms

Blurred vision and dizziness may come with additional symptoms like nausea, headaches, and light-headedness. If these persist or worsen, seeking medical advice is essential.

Common Causes

A. General

  1. Anxiety and Stress: Overwhelming stress or anxiety can lead to physical symptoms, including dizziness and blurred vision. Managing stress through activities, breathing exercises, or consulting a doctor is vital.
  2. Medication: Some medications may cause the same symptoms. Report any concerns to your doctor, who may suggest alternative treatments.
  3. Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can result in dizziness. Eating adequately and staying hydrated can help balance its effects. Resting, in fact, may also help.
  4. Low Blood Sugar: Associated with conditions like diabetes, low blood sugar can cause dizziness and blurred vision. Eating a snack or drinking juice can alleviate mild symptoms.

B. Neurological

  1. Concussion or Brain Injury: Injuries to the brain, ranging from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can cause symptoms like blurring and dizziness. Any head injury causing distorted vision, not limited to these symptoms, should be treated as an emergency and addressed at the ER or an urgent care facility.
  2. Migraine/ Headache: Migraines, intense headaches often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, can also induce dizziness and blurred vision. Relief measures include pain relievers, rest in a quiet room, and applying a warm or cool compress. Persistent or severe migraines may require advanced treatment from a doctor.
  3. Vertigo and Motion Sickness: Vertigo, a sudden feeling of imbalance and spinning, often accompanied by blurred vision, can result from causes like dehydration, migraines, and sudden head movements. In fact, motion sickness, triggered by continuous movement, may lead to nausea, dizziness, and occasionally blurring of vision.
  4. Stroke: A stroke occurs due to a disruption in blood supply to the brain, causing symptoms like trouble speaking, sudden onset headache, and numbness. Blurred vision and dizziness are also potential signs. Strokes demand emergency care; if suspected, call your doctor/ emergency ambulance services immediately.

C. Eye Related

  1. Vision Conditions: Certain visual dysfunctions, such as vertical imbalance, anisometropia or antimetropia, and binocular vision dysfunction, can contribute to dizziness and blurred vision.
  2. Spectacles: Adjusting to new eyeglasses or contact lenses may initially cause mild symptoms, but persistent concerns, whether mild or severe, should be addressed with an eye doctor.