What Causes Cloudy Eyes?

Many of us suffer from cloudy eyes. From a transient issue to a gradually increasing and permanent problem, there are many reasons behind it.

By far the most likely is that you have cataracts. This common and generally age-related condition will affect everyone if they get old enough. However, there are situations where cataracts can affect younger people, which we’ll discuss further.

Everything You Need to Know about What Causes Cloudy Eyes

• What do we mean by cloudy eyes?
• Let’s talk cataracts
• Other reasons you might have cloudy eyes

What do we mean by cloudy eyes? 

Cloudy vision is a very specific symptom. It literally means that you’re looking at the world through a web—or a cloud. Colors might also lose their brightness or fade. This is very different from blurred vision, which is when objects appear to be out of focus. A good test to determine if you’re suffering from cloudy or blurred vision is to squint. If this brings objects back into focus, then you’re suffering from blurring, not cloudiness.

Cloudy vision is usually (but not always) experienced in combination with some or all of the following:

• Watery eyes
• Blurred and/or double vision
• Light sensitivity
• Problems seeing in the dark or low light
• Seeing halos around lights
• Sore eyes
• Red or bloodshot eyes

Let’s talk cataracts

As already mentioned, cloudy eyesight is a symptom of cataracts. There are different types, but the most common are age-related. They’re caused by the buildup of proteins on the eye lens and gradually worsen over many years. Eventually, this prevents light from traveling freely through the eye, resulting in cloudy vision.

While age-related cataracts are the most common kind, other types can affect those of any age. 

These are:

• Traumatic cataracts: As the name suggests, these occur following serious eye injury.
• Radiation cataracts: Both UV light and some types of radiation therapy can cause cataracts.
• Pediatric or genetic cataracts: These affect children and are usually diagnosed soon after birth.
• Secondary cataracts: This is a very confusing—yet often used—name for a vision problem that isn’t a cataract. After a cataract operation, proteins can build up on the tiny bit of lens capsule that’s left within the eye (as a fixing point for the new artificial lens). Although the symptoms can mimic that of a cataract, it’s not the formation of a new one. The correct name for the condition is Posterior Capsule Opacification, or PCO. It’s easily treated by a one-off, five-minute process in the eye doctor’s office.

Other reasons you might have cloudy eyes

Other causes of cloudy eyesight include:

• Macular degeneration: Caused by deterioration of the retina, the condition is categorized into two types—dry and wet. The former is the most common. There is no cure for either type but there are treatments that can slow down the progression of the disease.
• Diabetic retinopathy: A problem from consistently elevated blood sugar levels that causes damage to the blood vessels at the back of the eye. There are various treatments available to slow the progression or even stop it. However, the key to management is to control the level of sugar in the blood. Even successfully treated diabetic retinopathy can continue to progress if this isn’t addressed.
• Fuchs dystrophy: This affects the cornea and causes a buildup of fluid. In the early stages it’s treated conservatively with eye drops, More severe cases might require a corneal transplant.

Other, less serious, causes of cloudy eyes include:

• Infection
• Trauma
• Inflammation

If cloudy vision continues for more than a day or so, be sure to seek professional help.

Want to Find Out What Causes Your Cloudy Eyes? Contact the WBEC Center Today 

The first step to improving cloudy eyesight is to determine the underlying cause. Whether it’s undiagnosed cataracts or something else, there’s no better place in the US to do this than at the West Boca Eye Center.

With a dedicated cataract facility and 24/7 emergency service, we cater to every element of vision and eye health. Indeed, no matter what your problem, our academic-grade facility and the highest level of on-site clinical expertise, we can treat any vision-related issue.

Discover more about our cutting-edge cataract surgery https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/services/cataract-surgery - or call our friendly team today to discuss your requirements.

Many of us suffer from cloudy eyes. From a transient issue to a gradually increasing and permanent problem, there are many reasons behind it.