Fluctuating vision describes changes in clarity over minutes to days. It can reflect tear film instability, metabolic variation, or evolving eye disease.
Common Factors
Dry eye, uncorrected refractive error, and contact lens issues frequently cause short‑term blur that clears with blinking or lubrication. Blood sugar swings in diabetes, early cataract, corneal oedema, and macular or optic nerve disease can produce more persistent fluctuations.
- Blur that varies with blink or time at a screen often indicates surface problems
- Diabetics may notice vision altering with glucose control
- Morning blur that improves later can suggest corneal or lens changes
- Intermittent neurological or vascular events may cause transient deficits
Assessment
History of timing, triggers, and associated symptoms guides investigation. Identifying whether fluctuation is monocular or binocular helps distinguish ocular from neurological causes.
- Persistent or worsening fluctuations require full eye examination
- People with systemic disease should have blood pressure and glucose reviewed
- Sudden transient loss episodes may represent transient ischemic attacks
- Appropriate correction and ocular surface treatment often stabilise mild cases
