10 Causes of Blurry Vision in the Morning

Waking up with blurry vision in one or both eyes is common. In many situations there’s no cause for alarm, and clarity returns after a few blinks or gentle rubbing of the eyelids.

There are several different reasons people notice blurred vision upon waking. Identifying the cause is the first step toward finding the right remedy.

Below are 10 possible causes of morning blurred vision and what you can do to address each one.

Reasons you may experience blurred vision in the morning

Whether your morning vision is routinely fuzzy or it happens only on occasion, consider these potential explanations.

Insufficient tear film

Tears keep the eyes lubricated, nourished, and shielded, and tear production continues during sleep.

Occasionally, however, tears formed overnight may dry on the eye’s surface, producing hazy or fuzzy vision upon waking. A few blinks after getting up usually restores moisture to the cornea and clears the vision.

Ocular allergies

Allergies can bring about itching, swelling, watery eyes and sometimes dryness, all of which can make your vision appear blurred after you wake.

If allergy symptoms are worse in the morning, allergens like dust mite particles or pet dander in your bedroom may be responsible. You might also react to the laundry detergent used on your sheets.

Sleeping face down

Lying with your face pressed into a pillow can contribute to floppy eyelid syndrome (FES), a condition in which the upper eyelid becomes lax and less elastic.

FES can cause morning blurriness, tearing, and a burning sensation in the eyes. While it can affect anyone, it is seen more frequently in overweight men.

Fuchs’ corneal dystrophy

Fuchs’ corneal dystrophy is an inherited disorder that leads to corneal swelling during sleep, causing vision to be cloudy in the morning. Vision tends to improve as the day progresses.

This condition is more common in women and symptoms usually appear around age 50.

Taking certain nighttime medications

Some drugs — including antihistamines, sleep aids, decongestants, and some blood pressure medications — can decrease tear production while you sleep. If taken at bedtime, these medications may result in dry, blurred vision in the morning.

Sleeping in contact lenses

Wearing contact lenses overnight can limit oxygen delivery to the eyes, which may produce dryness and blurred vision upon waking. It’s best to remove contacts before falling asleep.

Consuming alcohol before bed

Drinking alcohol late in the evening can lead to morning blurriness. Alcohol causes dehydration, which may reduce tear production and make vision appear fuzzy.

Blood sugar fluctuations

Elevated or very low blood glucose levels can also cause morning blurriness, though these cases are typically accompanied by other symptoms such as lightheadedness or weakness.

Persistently high blood sugar can be an early indication of diabetes.

Disorders of the eyelid oil glands

The tiny oil-producing meibomian glands around the eyelids sometimes produce excessive oil or abnormal secretions during sleep. This can irritate the eye surface and create blurred vision in the morning.

Sleeping under a fan

A fan may make the bedroom more comfortable at night, but it can dry out skin and eyes — even with your lids closed. This drying effect can cause itching, irritation, and hazy morning vision.

When should you see a doctor?

If the blur clears after a few blinks or rubbing, or it happens infrequently for an obvious reason, seeing a doctor may not be necessary.

However, don’t dismiss persistent or unexplained blurred vision, or any visual changes accompanied by other concerning symptoms. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider for an evaluation.

Morning blurriness can sometimes signal a stroke, which requires immediate emergency care. If you suspect a stroke, call 911 without delay.

Seek urgent care if you suspect a stroke

Recognizing stroke signs quickly and getting emergency medical attention can be lifesaving and improve recovery.

Healthcare experts suggest using BE-FAST to spot stroke symptoms:

• Balance: Is the person experiencing dizziness or coordination problems?
• Eyes: Are they having visual disturbances like double or blurred vision?
• Face: Does one side of the face droop when they try to smile?
• Arms: Can both arms be raised or is one weak or numb?
• Speech: Is their speech slurred or hard to understand?
• Time: If any of these signs are present, call 911 or local emergency services immediately.

Rapid treatment can reduce the risk of permanent brain damage, long-term disability, or death. When in doubt, it’s better to be overly cautious.

If you suspect a stroke, don’t hesitate to obtain emergency medical assistance.

You might also notice other symptoms such as:

• dizziness
• a severe headache
• numbness or tingling on one or both sides of the body
• slurred speech

Likewise, a head injury or concussion before sleep can lead to morning blurriness. Concussion-related symptoms may include:

• poor coordination
• headache
• nausea
• dizziness
• tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

How is morning blurred vision evaluated?

If allergies are the culprit, a clinician may diagnose the issue by observing classic signs — red, watery, itchy eyes — and recommend allergy eye drops to relieve the blurriness.

In other instances further testing is needed to identify the cause. This can include a full eye exam to assess visual acuity and inspections of the optic nerve, cornea, and retina.

An eye dilation exam is often used to investigate blurred vision. Special drops widen the pupil so the doctor can examine the back of the eye.

Other assessments may measure tear production and the evaporation time of tears.

Additional tests are ordered based on symptoms. For example, if your morning blur is accompanied by fatigue, frequent urination, and excessive hunger, your clinician may check blood glucose levels.

Treatment options for morning blurred vision

Morning blurry vision does not always need specific treatment unless it stems from an underlying disease. When a medical condition is responsible, treatment targets the root cause.

Medical approaches

Treating the underlying disorder usually improves blurred vision.

For example, if corneal swelling from Fuchs’ dystrophy is to blame, your doctor might prescribe eye drops that reduce corneal fluid. In the case of allergic eye issues, oral antihistamines can lessen symptoms but may also dry the eyes; antihistamine eye drops may be recommended instead to relieve blurriness.

Self-care measures

Using lubricating artificial tears before bed or after waking can rehydrate the eye surface and help prevent or resolve morning haze.

How to reduce the chance of morning blurred vision

Try these tips to lower the likelihood of waking up with fuzzy vision:

• Stay well hydrated throughout the day to support overall body and eye moisture.
• Avoid drinking alcohol close to bedtime.
• Keep your bedroom dust-free and wash bedding frequently.
• Remove contact lenses before sleeping and clean the lens case daily.
• Avoid sleeping with a fan blowing directly on your face.
• Sleep on your back or side rather than face down.
• Aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep each night; poor sleep may contribute to visual issues.

Other related morning eye issues to learn about include cloudy vision, red eyes when waking up, and lower back pain in the morning, which can share overlapping causes or co-occur with morning visual changes.

Bottom line

Although many people experience morning blurred vision, persistent or unexplained blurriness could signal a more serious issue.

See a healthcare professional if your vision is regularly blurred, does not clear during the day, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms.