Is Blurry Vision a Symptom of COVID-19?

You wake up, rub your eyes, and suddenly your phone screen looks softer than a beauty filter.
First thought: I really should sleep more. Second thought: Wait… is this COVID?

Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve all gotten used to checking every little ache, tickle in the
throat, or sneeze against the COVID-19 symptom list. But what about your eyes? More specifically,
can COVID-19 actually cause blurry vision, or does that mean something else is going on?

The short answer: blurry vision can be related to COVID-19, but it’s not one of the
classic, headline symptoms like fever or cough. It usually shows up as part of other eye or
neurological problems triggered by the virusnot as a stand-alone “I have blurry vision, therefore I
have COVID” situation.

Let’s break down what we know so far from eye specialists, infectious disease experts, and big health
organizationsand what you should do if your vision suddenly isn’t as sharp as it used to be.

Quick Refresher: How COVID-19 Affects the Body

COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which mainly attacks the respiratory system but can affect
almost every organ. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists symptoms like fever,
cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, congestion, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea as common COVID-19 signs. Blurry vision is not on that core list.

Still, doctors now know the virus doesn’t always play by the rules. It can cause inflammation in blood
vessels, problems with blood clotting, and neurological issuesany of which can affect your eyes and
the parts of your brain involved in vision.

Can COVID-19 Actually Cause Blurry Vision?

Yes, blurry vision has been reported in people with COVID-19, but it tends to show up as part of a
bigger picture of “COVID eye” or nervous system involvement rather than an isolated symptom.

Research and clinical reviews show that around 1 in 10 people with COVID report some
kind of eye symptom. These can include redness, dryness, tearing, pain, sensitivity to light, or blurred
vision.

Eye-Related Symptoms Linked With COVID-19

Eye and vision symptoms reported in COVID-19 include:

• Red or “pink” eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Dry, gritty, or burning eyes
• Tearing or watery eyes
• Eye pain or pressure
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurry or hazy vision

A large review of ocular manifestations of COVID-19 found that while redness and irritation are most
common, less frequent issues like blurry vision and retinal changes do occur.

So, blurry vision is not a top-tier symptom like fever, but it’s on the list of things doctors have seen
in some patients with COVID-19.

Why Blurry Vision Can Happen With or After COVID-19

Blurry vision connected to COVID-19 usually has an underlying cause. It’s not that the virus magically
“blurs” your sightit’s that it can trigger conditions that affect the eye surface, the structures inside
the eye, or the brain and blood vessels that support vision.

1. Surface Eye Problems: Dry Eye, Eye Strain, and Conjunctivitis

One of the simplest explanations is also the least dramatic: dry eye and eye strain.

• People with COVID-19 often spend days indoors, on screens, in air-conditioned rooms, or wearing masks
  for long periods. All of that can dry out your eyes and make your vision intermittently blurry.
• Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) has been documented as a COVID-related eye symptom. When the clear tissue
  over the white of your eye gets inflamed, your vision can look hazy or smeared because of extra
  tearing or discharge.

These problems are uncomfortable but usually temporary and not vision-threatening. Lubricating eye
drops, taking screen breaks, and treating any underlying infection as directed by a doctor often help.

2. Inflammation Inside the Eye

In a smaller number of people, COVID-19 appears to be linked to inflammation deeper inside the eye,
including:

• Keratitis – inflammation of the cornea (the clear front layer of the eye) that can
  make it feel like there’s something stuck in your eye and cause blurred or foggy vision.
• Uveitis – inflammation of the middle layer of the eye that often causes sudden blurry
  vision, light sensitivity, and eye pain.
• Retinal blood vessel problems – rare issues like retinal artery or vein blockages
  (“eye strokes”) that can cause sudden vision loss or blurry patches in your visual field.

These conditions are much less common than mild eye irritation, but they’re serious and require urgent
evaluation by an eye doctor.

3. Neurological and Blood Flow Issues

COVID-19 can also affect the brain and nervous system. People have reported symptoms like headaches,
“brain fog,” dizziness, and problems with concentration or balance long after the initial infection.

Blurry vision can be part of that picture in several ways:

• Stroke or mini-stroke (TIA): COVID-19 can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke
  in some individuals, which can cause sudden vision loss, double vision, or blurry vision in one or
  both eyes.
• Dysautonomia and blood flow changes: Some people with long COVID develop conditions
  like POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), where blood flow changes when standing can lead
  to lightheadedness, tunnel vision, or brief blurriness.
• Migraine-like symptoms: Even in people who didn’t have migraines before, COVID-19 can
  trigger headaches with visual disturbancessuch as shimmering lines or temporary blurred patches.

In these cases, the problem isn’t the eyeball itself but the “wiring” and blood supply that support vision.

How Common Is Blurry Vision With COVID-19?

The good news: although eye symptoms are not rare, serious eye complications from COVID-19 appear to be
uncommon.

Studies suggest:

• Around 10% of people with COVID-19 experience at least one eye symptom, such as dryness, redness,
  sensitivity to light, or blurred vision.
• Mild conjunctivitis or “pink eye” is the most frequently reported eye issue.
• More serious problems like uveitis, keratitis, or retinal vascular disease are rare and often occur in
  people who are already quite sick or have other medical conditions.

That said, “rare” doesn’t mean “never.” If your vision suddenly changesespecially if it’s only in one
eye, comes on abruptly, or is paired with other worrying symptomsyou shouldn’t brush it off.

When Blurry Vision Is an Emergency

No matter what’s happening with COVID-19 in your community, some vision changes are urgent and should
be treated like a 911-level problem.

Call emergency services or go to the ER immediately if you have:

• Sudden blurry or dim vision in one or both eyes
• Loss of part of your vision, like a curtain or shadow coming over it
• Double vision that appears suddenly
• Severe eye pain with nausea or vomiting
• Blurry vision plus weakness, trouble speaking, or facial drooping

These symptoms can signal a stroke, retinal detachment, acute glaucoma, or other emergencies. Whether
or not you have COVID, they need immediate attention.

Blurry Vision: COVID-19 or Something Else?

Even in 2025, when COVID-19 is part of everyday life, it’s still not the only explanation for blurry
vision. In fact, most of the time, something else is going on.

Common non-COVID causes of blurry vision include:

• Uncorrected nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
• Presbyopia (age-related difficulty focusing up close)
• Long days of screen use and eye strain
• Dry eye from air conditioning, heating, or reduced blinking
• Migraines or tension headaches
• High blood sugar or poorly controlled diabetes
• Side effects of certain medications

This is why doctors don’t diagnose COVID-19 based on blurry vision alone. They look at the full picture:
recent exposures, respiratory or digestive symptoms, fever, fatigue, and testing.

What To Do If You Have Blurry Vision and Think It Might Be COVID

If you’re noticing blurry vision and you’re worried about COVID-19, here’s a reasonable plan:

1. Check for other COVID-19 symptoms. Do you have fever, sore throat, congestion, cough,
   fatigue, body aches, loss of taste or smell, or digestive issues? If yes, testing for COVID-19 is a
   good idea.
2. Take a COVID-19 test. At-home tests or tests from clinics can help clarify what’s
   going on. Follow current local guidance on timing and repeat testing.
3. Assess how sudden and severe your vision change is. If it came on all at once, only
   affects one eye, or is accompanied by pain, headache, or neurological symptoms, seek urgent care.
4. Call your primary care provider or an eye doctor. Describe your symptoms honestly and
   mention any recent or current COVID infection. They can help decide whether you need an in-person
   visit, telehealth evaluation, or emergency care.
5. Don’t assume it will just “go away.” Mild dry eye from sickness and screen time may
   improve with rest and artificial tears, but anything persistent or worsening deserves a professional
   look.

Protecting Your Eyes During and After COVID-19

You don’t have to become an eye-drop influencer, but a few simple habits can protect your vision while
you’re recovering from COVID-19 or dealing with long-haul symptoms.

• Stay hydrated. Dehydration can make dry eye worse, especially if you’ve had fever or
  diarrhea.
• Use artificial tears if your eyes feel dry or gritty. Look for preservative-free drops
  if you’re using them frequently.
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at
  least 20 seconds to reduce screen strain.
• Keep your glasses and hands clean. Less gunk on your lenses and hands means fewer
  irritants making their way into your eyes.
• Manage chronic conditions. Keeping blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol in
  check reduces your risk of eye and blood vessel problems, whether or not you get COVID again.
• Schedule routine eye exams. If you’ve had COVID-19especially a severe caseor long
  COVID, share that history during your eye exam so your doctor knows to watch for certain changes.

Real-Life Experiences: What Blurry Vision With COVID Can Feel Like

Medical studies are helpful, but they don’t always capture what symptoms feel like in everyday life.
Here are some composite “storylines” based on common patient experiences reported to doctors and
long-COVID clinics. These aren’t individual patient stories, but they reflect patterns that many people
describe.

The “Screen-Fog” Experience

Alex, a 32-year-old software engineer, caught what seemed like a mild case of COVID-19. He had a low-grade
fever, sore throat, and congestion, but never needed to go to the hospital. A few days into his illness,
he noticed his computer screen looked soft and slightly out of focus.

At first, he blamed his contact lenses. He swapped in a fresh pairno change. His vision would sharpen
after he looked away from the screen for a while, then blur again when he went back to work. His eyes
burned and felt dry, like he’d been awake for 24 hours even though he was sleeping plenty.

When he called an eye clinic, the doctor wasn’t surprised. They explained that fever, dehydration, air
conditioning, and long hours on digital devices during isolation can all worsen dry eye and eye strain.
Alex started using artificial tears, taking frequent breaks, and running a humidifier. Within a couple of
weeks, the blurring faded.

The Long-COVID “Brain Fog and Blur” Pattern

Months after a COVID-19 infection, Taylor, a 40-year-old teacher, still didn’t feel like themself. They
had “brain fog,” trouble with concentration, and episodes of dizziness when standing up. On bad days,
their vision would briefly blur, especially when they moved from sitting to standing or after a long day
of mental effort.

Basic eye exams looked normal, which was both reassuring and frustrating. Eventually Taylor saw a
specialist at a long-COVID clinic, where they were diagnosed with a form of dysautonomiaan issue with
the autonomic nervous system that regulates heart rate and blood pressure. When blood pressure dropped or
fluctuated, Taylor’s brain briefly didn’t get enough steady blood flow, leading to dizziness and blurred
vision.

With lifestyle changesstaying hydrated, increasing salt intake as recommended, wearing compression
stockingsand a carefully adjusted medication plan, the symptoms became more manageable. Their vision
still acted up on rough days, but now there was an explanation and a strategy.

The “Don’t Wait” Lesson

Finally, there’s Jordan, 58, who had recently recovered from COVID-19. One afternoon, they noticed that
vision in their right eye suddenly looked like someone had smeared petroleum jelly over it. No pain, just
a sudden, dramatic blur. They almost decided to “see if it got better,” but a family member insisted they
call an eye doctor right away.

That decision was crucial. At the emergency eye clinic, tests showed a problem with a blood vessel in the
retinaessentially an eye stroke. Prompt treatment helped prevent further damage. If Jordan had waited
days or weeks, the vision loss could have been permanent.

Jordan’s story highlights the most important takeaway: whether or not COVID-19 is involved, sudden vision
changes are never something to shrug off.

Bottom Line: Should You Worry About Blurry Vision and COVID-19?

Blurry vision can be a part of COVID-19, but it’s not one of the hallmark symptoms and it’s usually not
the only sign that something is wrong. More often, it’s tied to:

• Mild, temporary issues like dry eye, eye strain, or conjunctivitis
• Less common but serious conditions like uveitis, keratitis, or retinal vascular problems
• Neurological or blood flow changes during or after COVID-19
• Completely unrelated everyday causes like needing new glasses or too much screen time

The key is to pay attention to how your blurry vision shows up:

• If it’s gradual, mild, and paired with dry, tired eyes and a lot of screen time, it’s probably not an
  emergencybut still worth mentioning to your doctor or eye specialist.
• If it’s sudden, severe, or paired with neurological symptoms (like weakness or trouble speaking), it’s
  emergency timecall 911 or go to the ER.
• If you’ve had COVID-19 or suspect you do, be honest with your healthcare providers so they can factor
  that into their evaluation.

As with most things COVID-related, the best strategy is a mix of vigilance and common sense: don’t panic
over every flicker in your vision, but don’t ignore major changes either. Your eyes are doing a lot of
work for youkeeping them safe is absolutely worth the effort.

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