Having cloudy vision can lead to the loss of visual acuity or blurred visual perception. It may affect one or both eyes and feel like a haziness or lack of clarity in vision. Cloudy vision may be a constant occurrence or one that comes and goes. It can also affect color perception and may be accompanied by the perception of halos or glare around light sources.

There are many causes of cloudy vision, with some being more harmful than others. Discharge from the eyes or tearing can lead to the condition, or it could be the symptom of a more serious disorder such as glaucoma or trauma to the eye.

It is important to note that cloudy vision is not the same as blurry vision, despite the terms being used interchangeably. Blurry vision is often caused by a refractive error in the lens of the eye that can be corrected with eyeglasses. Cloudy vision is the gradual loss of transparency of the cornea or lens of the eye, which most commonly occurs in cases of cataracts. Early development of cataracts can occur as a result of injury, diabetes, or prolonged use of certain medication.

What causes cloudy vision?

Various diseases and underlying conditions can lead to the development of cloudy vision. It could be a minor nuisance or lead to permanent vision damage. Additionally, the use of some medications may exhibit side effects affecting eyesight, leading to cloudy vision.

Common causes of cloudy vision include:

Age-related macular degeneration

Cataracts

Diabetes

Dry eyes

Foreign body in the eye

Glaucoma

Injury to the eye

Macular degeneration

Migraines

Myopia (nearsightedness)

Optic neuritis

Presbyopia (farsightedness)

Retinal vascular occlusion

Life-threatening causes of cloudy vision: