Cloudy vision can have a big impact on daily life. A lack of visual clarity makes an object look hazy or blurred. Many causes of cloudy vision have different treatments and interventions. The five common causes of cloudy vision are listed below.
1. Cataracts
Cataracts are a frequent eye condition and the chief reason for hazy vision, particularly prevalent among seniors. With this condition, you have deteriorated and clumped proteins in the lens of the eye, causing clouded or opaque areas within the lens. The varying things that cause cataracts include prolonged UV exposure, smoking, diabetes, and possibly certain medications. Cataracts usually develop slowly, and early signs include blurring of vision, glare sensitivity, and difficulty seeing at night. Prompt detection and treatment of cataracts can make cataract surgery successful with a high success rate.
2. Glaucoma
Glaucoma, a progressive eye condition, can significantly impact vision, often leading to cloudy or blurred sight. People with glaucoma may experience several telltale symptoms, including blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, and gradual vision loss that may go unnoticed initially. These visual disturbances occur because glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. As the condition advances, it can cause increased pressure within the eye, further compromising vision clarity. While these symptoms can be alarming, early detection and treatment can help manage glaucoma and preserve eyesight.
3. Diabetic Retinopathy
The disease diabetes can cause a condition called diabetic retinopathy, where these blood vessels (the retina) in the eye become damaged. High blood sugar levels or abnormal vessel growth that damages these vessels can lead to injury. In diabetic retinopathy, fluid buildup in the retina could cause cloudy vision or bleeding from the damaged vessels. It can develop in people with long-term diabetes and tends to progress gradually. Floaters and blurry vision are included, as well as sometimes a sudden loss of vision in severe cases. To catch retinopathy in the early stages, children and adults with diabetes need routine exams. Also, laser therapy, surgery, and injections help prevent further vision impairment from developing.
4. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease affecting the central part of the retina, the macula. Clear, detailed vision used in activities like reading and driving is the job of this area. AMD is usually found in older people, and the central vision becomes blurred or cloudy. AMD comes in two varieties: wet and dry. Commoner and slower moving is the dry form, and the wet form can suddenly bring on changes in vision. AMD has no cure, but anti-VEGF injections can treat (and possibly slow the progression of) AMD. Early detection of AMD is vital, and regular eye exams are needed to protect whatever vision you have left.
5. Corneal Opacities
Corneal opacities are scarring or clouding of the cornea, the clear surface at the front of the eye. Some of these could be attributed to certain infections, injuries, or diseases. If your cornea is cloudy, you can’t see things well because light doesn’t get into the eye in the normal way. There are two common causes: Keratitis (when the cornea becomes inflamed often from an infection) and Keratoconus (when the cornea grows less thin and bulges outwardly). Treatment for corneal opacities depends on their cause, ranging from medications to contact lenses to a corneal transplant. Getting treatments early may help to promote better vision and reduce additional damage to the eye.
Conclusion
Many eye conditions can be responsible for cloudy vision, but each one needs different treatments and preventative care. If you begin to have blurry vision, it is important to have your eyes and vision checked by an eye professional to determine what’s going on and what can be done about it.
