Why Is My Vision Fuzzy and My Head Hurts? 8 Causes

1. Migraines

Migraines are fairly common, affecting 1 out of every 5 women and 1 out of every 15 men. The condition is often characterized by throbbing pain on one side of the head. Many people also experience nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light or sound.

Migraines are divided into categories based on certain symptoms:

• Without aura: Headache develops without any distinct warning symptoms.
• With aura: Characterized by unique warning symptoms right before the migraine begins, such as seeing flashing lights.
• Aura without headache or silent migraine: Characterized by the presence of an aura or other migraine symptoms but the absence of a headache.

Treatment

There is no cure for migraines, but some treatments can help minimize symptoms:

• Resting in a dark room
• Pain relievers, including over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• Triptans to reverse the brain alterations that cause migraines
• Antiemetics to treat nausea and vomiting

2. Stroke

If blood flow to the brain is disrupted, brain cells can be damaged because they are not receiving enough oxygen. Strokes can affect people differently depending on what region of the brain is affected. They may cause sudden loss of vision, severe headaches, or both. Speech, movement, and thought processes can be affected as well.

Types of strokes include the following:

• Ischemic strokes occur when a blood clot blocks an artery that provides blood to the brain.
• Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood artery ruptures (or bursts), resulting in a brain hemorrhage. As a result, less blood reaches the surrounding brain cells, leading them to perish.
• Mini strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) occur when the blood supply to a portion of the brain is interrupted for a brief period. This causes symptoms such as temporary speech loss. TIAs normally resolve within a few seconds or minutes.

Treatment

You must seek urgent medical treatment for a stroke. Effective stroke treatment can lower the likelihood of long-term impairment and save lives. Therapies suggested are determined by whether a stroke is caused by:

• Blood clot that impedes blood flow to the brain (ischemic stroke)
• Blood artery rupture in or near the brain (hemorrhagic stroke)

Typically, treatment entails taking one or more drugs. Some people may require surgery. To enhance your chances of a successful recovery, seek medical care immediately.

3. Head injury

Injuries to the scalp, skull, brain, and underlying tissue and blood vessels in the head are referred to as traumatic head injuries. The most prevalent causes of traumatic injuries include motor vehicle accidents, falls, and abuse. Subdural hematomas and brain hemorrhages can occur on their own.

Symptoms of a head injury vary with the severity of the impact, among which blurred vision and headache are the most common.

Treatment

Treatment is determined based on your symptoms, age, overall health, and the severity of the injury. Treatment may range from:

• Rest
• Ice application
• Monitoring
• Surgery

4. Refractive errors

Refractive errors are common eye disorders that occur when the eyes cannot focus properly and can cause headaches along with blurred vision. Types of refractive errors include:

• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Astigmatism (distorted and blurred vision)

Treatment

• Eyeglasses and contacts can help correct the refractive error.
• Some surgeries, such as laser eye surgery, can modify the shape of your cornea to correct refractive problems. Your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) can advise you as to whether surgery is appropriate for you.

5. Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD)

BVD is a disorder in which the eyes do not align correctly with one another. Although your brain attempts to rectify this misalignment, it takes substantial effort, resulting in various symptoms such as blurred vision, headaches, nausea, and poor coordination.

It is unclear why some people acquire BVD. However, a recent study reported that BVD is typically genetically inherited. Although the misalignment could be minor, it can have a significant effect on your eyesight and result in double vision. 

Treatment

• Prism spectacles
  • Specialized eyewear to control and repair BVD that works by modifying light before it enters the eye
  • Helps the vision in one eye to shift and align with the other vision in the other eye
• Vision treatment
  • May benefit some children with convergence insufficiency, a type of BVD
  • Can be prescribed along with spectacles
  • Treatment may initially cause fatigued eyes and headaches
• Surgery
  • Only advised for severe strabismus (squint) that does not respond to noninvasive treatments
  • Because the procedure cannot be reversed, proper diagnosis is crucial to avoid complications

6. Eyestrain

Eyestrain is more of a symptom than a condition and is caused by long periods of focusing without blinking, causing your eyes to feel fatigued and resulting in blurred vision and even headaches. Eyestrain can be caused by prolonged computer use, sitting near an AC vent, or a faulty prescription for glasses or contacts.

Treatment

Preventative methods are the most effective way to manage eyestrain. Consult an eye doctor who will test your eyesight and conduct a comprehensive eye exam. If you are diagnosed with an underlying eye condition, your doctor may advise using over-the-counter artificial tears or prescribe pharmaceutical eye drops to help relieve your symptoms. 

7. Blood pressure changes

Blood pressure fluctuations can cause headaches and fuzzy vision. 

Treatment

• Dehydration can cause low blood pressure. Keep an eye out for symptoms of dehydration, such as dizziness or a dry mouth.
• If you have high blood pressure, check for symptoms such as trouble breathing or a bloody nose.
• If you detect abrupt or drastic changes in your blood pressure, contact a doctor.

8. Low blood sugar

Low blood sugar is another possible cause of headaches and impaired vision.

Treatment

If you have diabetes, remember to schedule yearly (1-2 times a year) for eye care checkups.

Seek emergency medical attention if the onset of headache and blurred vision is sudden and severe since these symptoms could be a sign of a serious condition, including stroke. 

Other associated symptoms that require medical attention include:

• Numbness, tingling, or paralysis of the face
• Confusion
• Speech difficulties
• Difficulty standing or walking
• Drooping eyelids or lips
• Fever higher than 102 F
• Neck stiffness
• History of a head injury