Cloudy Eye
A hazy or cloudy appearance to the eye can mean several different things — some harmless, some sight-threatening. An ophthalmic exam is the only reliable way to tell them apart.
Common causes
- Nuclear sclerosis — a normal aging change in the lens, seen as a subtle bluish-grey haze in older dogs and cats. It is not a disease and does not significantly affect vision.
- Cataracts — true clouding of the lens that does block vision and, in many cases, is treatable with surgery.
- Corneal edema — fluid buildup in the cornea, often from endothelial dystrophy/degeneration, bullous keratopathy, or a sudden spike in eye pressure.
- Glaucoma — elevated eye pressure frequently causes the cornea to turn a hazy blue.
Telling them apart
Nuclear sclerosis and cataracts can look similar to an owner but appear very different under the magnification and lighting of an ophthalmic exam. Because cloudiness from glaucoma or corneal disease can progress quickly, any new haze — especially if sudden, one-sided, or paired with redness or vision changes — is worth having examined promptly.
Noticed a haze in your pet's eye?
A quick exam tells us whether it's a normal aging change or something that needs treatment.