Dehydration may seem like a straightforward problem—your body doesn’t have enough water, so you feel thirsty. However, the effects of dehydration go far beyond that parched feeling in your throat. For example, dehydration can cause double vision, dry eyes, and make it painful to wear contact lenses!
What Is Dehydration?
Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluids than it takes in. Water is crucial for nearly every function in the body, including maintaining healthy blood flow, regulating body temperature, and keeping tissues—including your eyes—lubricated. Without enough water, your body struggles to perform essential tasks, which can trigger a cascade of symptoms.
When dehydration sets in, you may notice common signs like:
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headaches
- Sunken eyes
- Darkened urine
But how does dehydration affect your vision? To understand, we first need to examine how dehydration impacts your eyes.
How Dehydration Affects Your Eyes
Your eyes depend on proper hydration to function smoothly. The clear tear film coating your eyes is predominantly water, and it plays a vital role in maintaining eye health and clarity of vision. When your water intake dips, several problems can arise:
Dry Eyes
Dehydration can reduce tear production, leading to dry, irritated eyes. Your tears are essential for keeping the surface of your eyes smooth for clear vision, so dryness can result in blurry or fluctuating vision.
Eye Strain
Dehydration can trigger headaches or eye strain, which often accompanies a lack of water. Straining to focus may make your vision appear shaky or unclear.
Reduced Blood Flow
Hydration supports healthy blood pressure and circulation. When you’re dehydrated, reduced blood flow to the eyes can lead to temporary visual disturbances, including difficulty focusing.
Potential Causes of Dehydration-Related Double Vision
Dehydration may not directly cause double vision, but its effects on your visual system will. Some potential reasons you experience double vision when you are dehydrated include:
Eye Muscle Fatigue
Dehydration can cause muscle fatigue. If the muscles around your eyes are fatigued and tired, they may struggle to work together and focus efficiently. These struggles can cause double vision.
Neurological Symptoms of Dehydration
Dehydration puts a strain on your brain. Dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, and poor blood circulation. All of these factors can put a strain on the visual system, which could cause double vision in addition to eye muscle fatigue.
When to Worry About Double Vision
Occasionally blurry or double vision, especially when you know you’re dehydrated, might not be cause for alarm. Drinking more water, resting your eyes, and addressing dehydration may resolve the issue in these cases.
However, certain red flags require immediate medical attention:
- Double vision that persists, even after rehydrating
- Sudden onset of double vision without an obvious cause
- Double vision accompanied by severe headache, nausea, or weakness
- Vision loss or blindness in one or both eyes
These symptoms could indicate serious problems like nerve damage, a stroke, or other neurological conditions.
Simple Steps to Stay Hydrated and Protect Your Vision
Preventing dehydration is not only crucial for your overall health but also for maintaining clear, comfortable vision day to day. Here are some practical tips to prioritize hydration and healthy eyes:
- Drink enough water every day: Aim for 8 cups of water a day, but keep in mind you might need more or less water depending on the weather and how active you are on a given day.
- Eat hydrating foods: Incorporate foods into your diet that have high water content, such as cucumbers, watermelon, celery, and oranges, to stay hydrated beyond just drinking fluids.
- Use artificial tears: If you’re prone to dry eyes, consider using preservative-free artificial tears to keep your eyes well-lubricated, especially during periods of low humidity.
- Watch for signs of dehydration: Pay attention to cues from your body, like dark urine or a dry mouth, to catch dehydration early before it impacts your vision or functioning.
- Monitor Caffeine and alcohol intake: Both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, meaning they can contribute to increased fluid loss. Balance your consumption of these beverages with water to avoid becoming dehydrated.
- Seek Professional Help If Needed If hydration and lifestyle adjustments don’t resolve your eye discomfort or visual issues, schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional to see if you can find a solution to chronic dehydration.
Rehydrate for Better Vision
While dehydration might not be a common or direct cause of double vision, it plays a significant role in overall eye health. By prioritizing hydration and staying aware of changes in your vision, you can protect your eyes and keep them functioning at their best.
At Total Vision Campbell, we want to help you meet your eye health needs. If you have concerns about dry eyes and double vision, we are here to help you. To get started on your eye health journey, book an appointment with us today.
