Cloudy Vision

Different experiences of cloudy vision

People experience cloudy or hazy vision in different ways. Some people get sudden cloudy vision in one eye, while for others it affects both eyes. Your hazy vision might just last a few minutes, or it could last for a few days. You might get cloudy vision that comes and goes, or it could be something that gets worse over time.

Whatever your foggy vision 'looks' like, you'll want to get to the bottom of it as soon as you can. In this guide, you'll learn about the main causes of cloudy vision, common symptoms, and how to get help.

Is it cloudy vision or blurred vision? 

Cloudy vision and blurred vision can easily be confused. While they have some similarities, there are some important differences too. 

• Blurred vision: Things appear less clear, sharp or defined. Hard lines can appear soft, and things seem generally out of focus. But if you squint, you might notice objects become temporarily clearer. While objects look less clear, colours remain the same. Blurred vision tends to come on fairly slowly (sometimes over a few years) and usually affects both eyes. 

• Cloudy vision: With cloudy vision, the world around you appears misty or foggy, and colours often look faded. Unlike with blurred vision, squinting doesn't make things become sharper. People may experience sudden cloudy vision in one eye (often in the mornings), and the cloudiness may get better or worse over the course of the day. You might only get foggy vision in one eye, but it can also affect both. 

What does your cloudy vision look like?

Cloudy vision can affect your vision in different ways. Here are some examples: 

Foggy vision in one eye or both eyes 

Your entire field of vision from one or both eyes appears faded, cloudy or misty. Colours are muted and the world appears to be in a fog. 

Cloudiness in one area of your vision 

Most of your field of vision is normal, but one specific part is cloudy or foggy. 

Cloudiness in your peripheral vision 

Your peripheral vision looks cloudy, but the main field remains normal. 

A sliding mist, veil or curtain 

You notice sudden cloudy vision that seems to slide across your eye. 

What might be causing your cloudy vision? 

There are several conditions that may cause cloudy vision in one eye suddenly, or cloudy vision that comes and goes. Our optometrists can do eye tests with you to get to the bottom of what's causing your foggy vision. Here are some of the possible causes of cloudy vision: 

Cataracts

This is when the lens in your eye starts to become cloudy ‑ it can affect one eye, or both eyes at the same time. Cataracts are very treatable ‑ research shows that every year about 30,000 New Zealanders have cataract surgery each year. 

Infections and inflammation

Infections may cause damage or changes to the cornea, which is the clear bit at the front of your eye. There are a few possible causes of eye infection, including conjunctivitis. 

Migraines

If you suffer from migraines, you may experience ocular migraines. This can cause cloudiness in a certain part of your field of vision (as well as zig zags or lightning flashes). 

Macular degeneration

Researchers estimate that about 10% of New Zealanders aged 45‑85 have macular degeneration. The macula is the part of the eye that controls sharp vision. As you get older, the macula can become damaged, and this can cause milky central vision. 

Diabetes

Diabetes can damage blood vessels in your eye (a complication known as diabetic retinopathy). This may cause cloudy vision. 

Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)

If you have low blood sugar (which is often an issue for people with diabetes), your vision may appear cloudy. 

Fuchs’ Dystrophy

This is a relatively rare genetic condition which affects the cornea (the part of the eye that lets light in) and usually begins in middle age. An early sign of Fuchs’ Dystrophy is cloudy vision in the morning which improves over the course of the day. 

Eye trauma

Scratches or damage to your eye could make your vision cloudy. 

What the experts say about cloudy vision 

Our expert optometrists see people with cloudy vision every day. Here, one of our optometrists shares what to look out for, what happens during an eye test, and how they support people with cloudy vision.