What Causes Blurry Vision at Night?

Do you find yourself squinting at road signs after sunset? Or maybe you've noticed that reading becomes more difficult in dim lighting? Many people experience blurry vision, specifically at night, and understanding the causes can help you find appropriate solutions.

At Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho, we regularly help Idaho Falls residents address their nighttime vision concerns. Let’s explore the common causes of blurry night vision and what you can do about it!

Why Does My Vision Go Blurry at Night?

Nighttime vision blurriness is a common complaint that can stem from several underlying causes. When darkness falls, our eyes must work differently than they do during daylight hours. Our pupils dilate to allow more light in, and our retinas switch from using primarily cone cells (which detect color in bright light) to rod cells (which help us see in dim light but with less detail).

This natural adaptation can sometimes highlight existing vision problems that might not be as noticeable during the day. Small refractive errors, minor astigmatism, or early cataracts may cause minimal symptoms in well-lit environments but become significantly more problematic in low-light conditions.

Also, many people experience night myopia, a condition where the eye becomes slightly more nearsighted in dim lighting. This occurs because the lack of light causes the pupil to dilate, which can introduce subtle optical aberrations and focusing difficulties.

The first step to improving blurry vision at night is to see your eye doctor at Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho for a thorough evaluation. Our specialists can identify the specific cause of your nighttime vision problems and create a personalized treatment to help improve your blurry nighttime vision.

What Is Blurred Vision a Symptom Of?

When experiencing persistent blurry vision at night, it's important to consider what underlying conditions might be responsible. Nighttime vision problems can be symptomatic of several eye health issues:

Uncorrected Refractive Errors: Astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness can all worsen in low light. Many people with mild astigmatism notice their vision becomes significantly more distorted at night, especially when looking at lights against a dark background.

Cataracts: These cloudy areas in the eye's lens scatter light, creating halos and blur around lights at night. Early cataracts may cause few daytime symptoms but can significantly impair night vision.

Dry Eye Syndrome: When tear production is insufficient, the eye's surface becomes irregular, especially in dry indoor environments, which are common during Idaho winters. This irregularity scatters light and creates blur that worsens throughout the day and into the evening.

Glaucoma: Both the condition itself and the medications used to treat it can cause light sensitivity and reduced contrast sensitivity, making night vision particularly challenging.

Retinal Disorders: Conditions affecting the retina, such as retinitis pigmentosa or diabetic retinopathy, often manifest first as deteriorating night vision before daytime visual acuity is affected.

How to Fix Blurry Night Vision

Addressing nighttime vision problems depends largely on identifying and treating the underlying cause. At Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho, we use advanced diagnostic technology to determine exactly what's affecting your vision after dark.

For many patients, the solution may be as simple as updating their prescription glasses with a correction specifically optimized for low-light conditions. Anti-reflective coatings on lenses can also dramatically improve night vision by reducing glare and halos around lights, which is particularly helpful when driving on Idaho Falls' roads after dark.

If dry eye is contributing to your symptoms, your eye doctor may recommend using lubricating eye drops before evening activities, or in some cases, prescription medications or in-office treatments to improve tear quality and quantity.

For those with cataracts, modern surgical techniques offer remarkable results. Cataract surgery not only resolves the blurriness but also presents an opportunity to correct other vision issues with specialized intraocular lenses.

Patients with retinal conditions or glaucoma will require specific management plans focused on preserving vision and managing symptoms. These plans might include specialized medications, laser treatments, or surgical interventions depending on the specific diagnosis.

In some cases, simple environmental adjustments can also help. Ensuring adequate lighting for evening activities, taking breaks from digital screens before bedtime, and using nightlights for navigation can all reduce strain on your visual system.

Is There a Way to Fix Blurry Vision Naturally?

While medical interventions are often necessary for significant vision problems, some natural approaches may help support eye health and potentially improve mild night vision issues:

Nutritional Support: Certain nutrients play vital roles in ocular health and night vision function. These include:

• Vitamin A (found in liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, and leafy greens)
• Omega-3 fatty acids (abundant in cold-water fish like salmon)
• Lutein and zeaxanthin (present in egg yolks, corn, and leafy greens)
• Zinc (found in oysters, beef, and legumes)

A diet rich in these nutrients supports overall eye health, though supplements should only be taken under professional guidance.

Eye Exercises: While exercises cannot correct refractive errors, they may help reduce eye strain and improve focusing ability. The 20-20-20 rule (looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes of close work) can help prevent digital eye strain that might worsen by evening.

Proper Hydration: Drinking adequate water throughout the day helps maintain tear quality.

Lifestyle Adjustments: Reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, managing blood sugar levels, and controlling blood pressure can all positively impact night vision, as these factors affect blood flow to the delicate tissues of the eye.

While these natural approaches may provide some benefit, it's important to understand they cannot replace professional eye care when addressing significant vision problems. Regular comprehensive eye exams remain the foundation of maintaining good vision throughout life.

Common Causes and Treatments for Blurry Vision: When to See an Eye Doctor

While occasional mild blurriness might not be cause for concern, certain symptoms warrant prompt professional attention. At Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho, we recommend scheduling an eye examination if you experience:

• Sudden onset of blurry vision, especially if it affects only one eye
• Blurriness accompanied by eye pain, headache, or nausea
• New floaters, flashes of light, or a "curtain" effect in your vision
• Persistent blurriness that interferes with daily activities
• Noticeable worsening of night vision over a short period

Based on your exam, your eye doctor can recommend the most appropriate treatment approach.

Are you experiencing blurry vision at night or any other vision concerns? Request an appointment with the experienced team at Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho in Rexburg, ID. Clear, comfortable vision at all hours is possible with the right care and treatment approach.