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Cloudy Vision

Many people in the UK have cloudy vision. Find out why you might be experiencing cloudy vision, common symptoms and what to do about it.

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What is cloudy vision?

Cloudy vision is when objects appear ‘milky’, or as if you’re looking through a cloudy piece of glass in one or both eyes. It can also dull your perception of colours, so things look faded. You may also notice ‘halos’ appearing around lights.

Cloudy vision or blurred vision?

Cloudy vision might seem similar to blurred vision, but there are some important differences. With blurry vision, you lose sharpness or clarity when looking at things, but colours look the same. Hard lines may appear soft, and things seem out of focus. However, if you squint, you might notice objects become temporarily sharper. usually comes on more slowly (often over a few years) and usually affects both eyes. With cloudy vision, the world appears hazy or foggy, and colours often appear faded. Squinting won’t make things look sharper. Often, people experience sudden cloudy vision or cloudy vision that comes and goes. You may only get cloudy vision in one eye, but it can also affect both.

What are the symptoms of cloudy vision?

Cloudy vision can be caused by a number of conditions. The combination of symptoms will be different depending on the underlying cause, but may include: 

Cloudy vision is usually painless. Many people notice they get cloudy vision in one eye that comes and goes, often lasting for a few minutes or a few hours before clearing up.


Lady with blonde hair tied back in a bun, carrying out an eye test on a man in a green t-shirt.

Do these symptoms sound familiar?

If you have experienced any of the cloudy vision symptoms above, it’s worth booking an appointment with one of our optometrists.

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What causes cloudy vision?

There are several reasons why you might experience cloudy vision, including cataracts, dry eye, eye infections and more. Learn about the common symptoms and how to get help. Your optometrist (sometimes called an optician) will be able to spot signs of cloudy vision during an eye test. Some common causes include: 

Cloudy vision causes explained:

  1. Cataracts:

    The most common cause of cloudy vision is cataracts, which is when the lens inside your eye loses its transparency. Most cataracts develop as part of the ageing process and are therefore seen mainly in older people.

  2. Infections and inflammation:

    Infections such as conjunctivitis (‘pink eye’) may cause changes or damage to the cornea, which is the clear part at the front of your eye, causing cloudy vision.

  3. Migraines:

    If you suffer from migraines, you may experience an aura or an ocular migraine before or during the migraine. This can cause cloudiness in a certain part of your field of vision (as well as zig zags or flashes that might look a bit like lightning). 

  4. Macular degeneration:

    Your macula is the part of the eye that controls sharp vision. As you age, the macula can become damaged ‑ macular degeneration may lead to cloudy or milky central vision.

  5. Diabetes

    If you have diabetes, the condition may cause damage to blood vessels in your eye (a complication known as diabetic retinopathy), which can cause cloudy vision.

  6. Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia):

    If you have low blood sugar (perhaps related to diabetes), you may also experience visual problems such as cloudy vision. 

  7. Fuchs’ Dystrophy:

    This inherited condition affects the cornea (the bit of the eye that lets light in) and typically begins in middle age. An early sign of Fuchs’ Dystrophy is cloudy vision in the morning, which goes away later in the day.

  8. Eye trauma:

    Any physical damage to the eye, such as scratches, can make your vision appear cloudy.

Other causes of cloudy vision

Cloudy vision may sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition that requires urgent medical attention. While most kinds of cloudy or smoky vision are not medical emergencies, it’s always best to be cautious and get it checked out by an optometrist. Some of the more serious conditions that may cause cloudy vision include: 

  • Retinal artery occlusion: Sometimes known as an ‘eye stroke’ (this British Heart Foundation article explains more), this is when a blockage in the eye's blood vessels causes fluid to accumulate in the eye and prevents blood from flowing to the tissues that help with sight. If left untreated, it may lead to sliding mist or curtain and permanent loss of sight. 

  • Retinal detachment: This is when the layer at the back of your eye becomes separated. A detached retina needs to be treated urgently as it can permanently affect your sight. 

Although cloudy vision isn’t always a sign of serious problems, it’s really worth getting it checked by a doctor or eye specialist. That can put your mind at ease and help get to the bottom of the issue. 

How is cloudy vision diagnosed?

To get to the bottom of what's causing your cloudy vision, your optometrist might use some of the following tests and checks: 

  • An OCT scan, which creates detailed images of the inside of your eye. 

  • A visual acuity test (you'll be asked to read letters on an eye chart from a distance). 

  • A slit‑lamp examination that examines the inside of your eye, including the lens and retina 

  • A tonometry, which measures the pressure of fluid inside the eye 

  • An ophthalmoscopy, which helps the optometrist examine your retina 

How is cloudy vision treated?

After checking your eyes, your optometrist will suggest treatments depending on the underlying cause. Here are some of the possible treatments for more common causes of cloudy vision: 

  • Cataracts are usually treated with surgery, where the cloudy lens is replaced with a clear artificial lens. 

  • Diabetic retinopathy is usually treated by trying to help you manage your diabetes more generally. 

  • Macular degeneration is often treated using injections that slow down blood vessel growth. 

  • Dry eyes are often treated with eyedrops. 

Other causes of cloudy vision may require different kinds of treatment.  


Can cloudy vision be prevented? 

As cloudy vision can be a sign of other health conditions as well as a number of eye conditions, it’s important to get a check‑up from your optician or GP if you are experiencing symptoms. Your optician can use an OCT scan alongside a comprehensive eye examination to check your eye health in more detail and determine whether your cloudy vision is a sign of something more serious.

Cloudy Vision FAQs:

Related conditions

Not sure if this is what you’re experiencing? Explore some related conditions:

  • Cataracts

    Cataracts are very common. When the lens is cloudy from a cataract, the images appear blurred, a bit like looking through a dirty window.

    Find out more

  • Macular Degeneration

    An eye disease caused by deterioration of the macula — a small area in the centre of the retina (the light‑sensitive part of the eye).

    Find out more

  • Diabetic Retinopathy

    If you have diabetes, you’re at risk of developing a complication of diabetes that damages the light‑sensitive layer at the back of the eye called the retina.

    Find out more

Written by our experts for peace of mind

https://images.ctfassets.net/zcryw81f0g1x/5mrcuMDlru21b9LMMuIQn7/34dcf1c5e9fe3ed41c4ea4077537d61f/Ross_Campbell_Northallerton.jpg

Ross Campbell

BSc Hons MCOptom Prof Cert Glauc Prof Cert Med Ret

Ross is an experienced optometrist having graduated in 2007 from Bradford University. He is also ophthalmic director of Specsavers Swaledale with Northallerton & Thirsk, a pre‑registration supervisor, professional advancement consultant, and a WOPEC Lead Assessor. He has previously worked as Director of Optometry Advancement for Specsavers and as a columnist for Optician & ProFile magazine.

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If you’ve noticed a change in your vision, or have experienced any symptoms mentioned above, it’s worth booking an appointment with one of our optometrists.

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