Can Having a Cold Cause Blurry Vision?

By Natalia Courtois on Feb 10, 2020 @ 11:00 AM

Cold season always seems to be just around the corner. When you start feeling those symptoms, it's clear you don't feel your best. It can impact your work, mood, and energy. Depending on how severe the virus is, a cold can affect your health in more ways than just a runny nose. You might experience swollen nasal passages, headaches, temporary hearing loss and muscle aches. You may even get blurred vision due to sinus pressure!

Key Takeaways:

A head cold can affect your sinuses, throat, and eyes
The symptoms of a cold can cause red or watery eyes, swollen eyelids and even blurred vision
Blurry vision from a cold or pink eye usually goes away after seven to 14 days
If you notice any changes in your vision, check with your eye doctor

The Why

Common colds, and even seasonal allergies, usually target sensitive areas in our upper body, like the sinuses, throat, and eyes. That's why it's called a "head" cold! When these areas get infected, they can become irritated, swollen, and congested. This inflammation can cause pressure around your sinuses and behind your eyes, leaving you with a feeling of heaviness, blurry vision, and even a headache.

The How

Sometimes an infection can turn into pink eye. This is often called "a cold in the eye." Since the same virus causes both, they have similar symptoms. The symptoms include red or watery eyes, discharge, and swollen eyelids. Blurred vision is rare but can happen due to these issues. If the infection spreads to the eye, you might experience blurry vision and sometimes see halos around lights.

The worst part? Some of the medications you're taking for your ither symptoms can cause the blurry vision too! The great thing about antihistamines is that they dry up any mucus...the down side is, just like how Tylenol can't directly target a headache, antihistamines can't target specific areas to dry up so it just dries up everything, including tear production. So. the moisture your eyes need to lubricate isn't being produced as much as normal, which causes dry eyes.

The Cure

Blurry vision from a cold, sinus headache, or pink eye can be scary, uncomfortable, and just down right annoying, but it typically goes away quickly. Colds often clear up in seven to 14 days, or with medicine from your eye doctor if needed. In the meantime, here are a few ways to alleviate not only your blurry vision, but maybe even your congestion,

Stay Hydrated: I know, seems obvious, but it really does help! You're replenishing the moisture in your body and rehydrating yourself; that includes your eyes.
Use Artificial Tears/Teardrops: If your eyes are beginning to dry out, using over-the-counter teardrops can be a quick and easy way to get some moisture back; but be careful not to overuse them. You can also just blink more often to help.
Warm Compress: A warm compress over your eyes for a few minutes can soothe sinus congestion, the pressure around your eyes and help unclog tear ducts and open the meibomian glands that help increase the release of the natural oils your eyes need.
Use a Humidifier: A humidifier is a great way to get some moisture into the air around you. If you don't have a humidifier, get a bowl of warm/hot water and a towel. Drape the towel over your head to act as a sort of cocoon to keep the warm air in. Like this:

Adding a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint can be great for congestion as well,
Get Plenty of Rest: Rest is an important part of recovery overall; and closing your eyes, whether blinking more frequently or resting, can allow your eyes time to relubricate themselves.

If you notice any changes in your vision, check with your eye doctor. If you have thick yellow or green eye discharge, pain behind your eye, or uneven pupils, contact your doctor right away to make an appointment. In fact, you should visit your eye doctor every year to help keep your overall health in check!

To help prevent colds, wash your hands often and get plenty of vitamin C!