Waking up with blurred vision in one eye and a headache might seem like a temporary nuisance — maybe you’re just dehydrated or tired, right?

Wrong. As per medical experts, this combination of symptoms can be much more serious than it appears. In fact, it may signal conditions that require urgent medical attention to prevent permanent damage.

What Could Be Causing It?

According to Dr. Vinit Banga, Director of Neurology and Neurointervention at Fortis Hospital (Faridabad, India), blurred vision paired with a headache can stem from several potentially dangerous conditions — and none should be brushed off.

Let’s take a closer look at the most common (and concerning) causes:

1. Migraine with Aura

This is one of the most frequent causes, especially in younger adults. These are migraines that are preceded or accompanied by visual disturbances like:

Flashing lights
Blind spots
Blurred or tunnel vision in one eye

Common triggers include:

Stress
Dehydration
Hormonal changes
Certain foods (like aged cheese, wine, or processed meats)

Though migraines aren’t usually life-threatening, they can mimic more serious issues — and frequent episodes should still be evaluated by a doctor.

2. Optic Neuritis