Sight is important, but we tend to take its health for granted. For instance, unfocused, cloudy vision is a common eyesight problem, but we tend to ignore possible problems thinking they will go away on their own. True, in many cases, there isn’t anything to worry about. A number of innocuous reasons, including a need to update your prescription or dirty contact lenses, could be to blame. However, there are instances where cloudy vision is a sign of something more serious, which is why no matter how seemingly harmless your symptoms are, it’s essential that you investigate the reason behind it. 

Cloudy Vision Doesn’t Happen On Its Own

This is an important fact to remember when you notice that your vision starts to look hazy: cloudy vision doesn’t happen independently. Whether the reason behind it is serious or not is another point to consider, but it is a symptom of another condition, and it’s important to identify what’s causing it to address it. 

Here are some possible reasons: 

 Your prescription needs to be updated – The most apparent reason could be as simple as your eyes need to get rechecked for new lenses. However, if this is the case, you’re likely confusing blurry vision with cloudy vision. The latter is vision impaired by a mild fog or a dense layer that obstructs your view, whereas blurry vision is eyesight that makes things look out of focus. 

You need new contact lenses – Dry spots, cracks, and tears in the lenses are common causes of cloudy vision. However, because contact lenses are placed directly on your eye, it can also cause corneal edema because it blocks oxygen supply to the cornea when material or debris accumulates under the lens. 

Floaters – Small spots and squiggly lines that float across your eyes don’t cause widespread cloudy vision, but larger ones could be behind the foggy vision. 

Damage to the retina caused by diabetes – A condition referred to as diabetic retinopathy can cause cloudy vision when damage caused by Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes causes retinal tissue to swell. 

Fuchs’ dystrophy causes cells in the cornea to degenerate – This can lead to foggy vision as the cornea itself starts to cloud over or starts to swell. 

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – Damage to the eye’s macula can lead to the gradual loss of vision in the center of your view. In some cases, this can also lead to cloud vision. 

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) –  Occurs when the natural lens capsule, which holds the implant, starts to cloud. This tends to happen after cataract surgery.

Cataracts – A condition where the eye’s lens starts to cloud, thus resulting in cloudy vision. Most cataracts can be treated with cataract surgery. 

 Your Next Steps

The range of reasons behind cloudy vision is varied; leaving it undiagnosed and untreated can lead to more serious conditions or even vision loss. 

 Your next step should be to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with a trusted specialist today. Contact our Paragon Eye Associates location in Arlington or Mansfield, Texas, to schedule a consultation today.