Cloudy vision is often confused with blurred vision, but blurred vision is corrected by eyeglasses or contact lenses, whereas cloudy vision is a loss of transparency in your eye lens or the cornea, such as from cataracts.

Depending on the cause, cloudy vision can be constant or intermittent and affect one or both eyes. Besides haziness, cloudy vision can also affect color perception and can be accompanied by a glare or halos around lights. Learn more about cloudy vision, what causes it, and when to seek medical assistance.*

What causes cloudy vision? 

The causes of cloudy vision, in addition to cataracts, include:

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Cataracts
• Diabetes
• Dry eyes
• Foreign body in the eye
• Glaucoma
• Injury to the eye
• Macular degeneration
• Migraines
• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Need for corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, or need for change in eyewear prescription
• Optic neuritis
• Presbyopia (age-related farsightedness)
• Retinal vascular occlusion

Your eyes and vision are essential for optimal quality of life, which is why you should contact your doctor if you develop cloudy vision or any of the following eye symptoms that cause you concern.

What symptoms may accompany cloudy vision?

Cloudy vision may accompany other symptoms, which will vary depending on the underlying condition. 

These symptoms may include:

• Blurred or double vision
• Dry eyes
• Glare or halos around lights
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Increased tear production or discharge from eyes
• Poor nighttime vision
• Red, sore eyes (bloodshot)

In some cases, cloudy vision can be a sign of more serious conditions and may need to be evaluated in an emergency setting. 

Symptoms to look out for in this scenario include:

• Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness
• Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations, and delusions
• Severe headache
• Sudden change in vision, loss of vision, or eye pain
• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body

The above symptoms may be a sign of underlying disorders, that if untreated, could lead to:

• Brain damage
• Corneal scarring
• Loss of vision and blindness
• Spread of cancer
• Spread of infection
• Unconsciousness
• Coma

What serious conditions may be related?

If you experience symptoms that are indicators of serious health conditions, you may be checked for the following:

• Brain tumor
• Corneal infection or injury
• Glaucoma
• Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve)
• Retinal detachment (detachment of the light-sensing layer inside your eye from blood vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients)
• Stroke
• Transient ischemic attack (temporary stroke-like symptoms that may be a warning sign of an impending stroke)

What questions will my doctor ask? 

When visiting your doctor, be prepared to answer specific questions about your cloudy vision for a proper diagnosis: 

• How long have you had cloudy vision?
• Is the cloudiness persistent, or does it come and go?
• Is the cloudiness present in one eye or both eyes?
• Are you currently taking any medications?
• Are you having any other symptoms associated with your cloudy vision?
• Do you have any other known medical conditions?

If you find cloudy vision to become a disruptive part of your day, see a doctor as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause—especially as it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition, such as vision loss.

*Healthgrades Editorial Staff. (2018, Dec. 22). Cloudy Vision. Healthgrades. https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/eye-health/cloudy-vision

Any sources from outside of Prevent Blindness do not imply an endorsement from Prevent Blindness. The contents of the material used are the responsibility of the authoring organization, Responsum Health.