Section: Causes
Numerous changes in the cornea of the eye may result in cloudiness, including:
Corneal ulceration or infection from bacteria, fungi or yeast
Corneal scarring from congenital defects of the eyelids; inrolling of the eyelids; exposure of the cornea to foreign bodies, drying, heat, smoke, chemicals; eye injury or trauma; inability to blink properly and protect the eye; decreased sensation on the surface of the cornea and resulting poor protection of the cornea; prior corneal surgery
Corneal inflammation from inadequate tear production (keratoconjunctivitis sicca; dry eye syndrome), certain forms of keratitis, etc.
Corneal lipid deposition that may arise with other chronic corneal diseases
Invasion of the corneal with tumor cells (rare)
Development of corneal edema associated with age or with premature degeneration of the cornea, from glaucoma, in association with inflammation of the interior of the eye, secondary to prior surgery of the cornea, etc.
Numerous changes in the front chamber and fluid of the eye may cause visible cloudiness:
Cloudiness of the fluid in the front chamber from inflammation (uveitis), hemorrhage, trauma, or leakage of fatty material into the eye (from the blood stream)
Movement of the lens into the front chamber, particularly if the lens has developed an opaque cataract or is causing corneal edema
Collapse of the chamber with movement of the iris towards the front of the eye (secondary to penetrating trauma, lens movement, glaucoma, etc.)
Growth of tumor from the iris into the front chamber
Changes of the lens that cause cloudiness in the eye include:
Cataract formation
Nuclear sclerosis (age-related lens hardening resulting in an 'opalescent' color change to the lens)
Changes of the vitreous that may cause obvious clouding of the eye include:
Vitreal opacities (floaters) that accumulate with inflammation around or within vitreous
Hemorrhage into the vitreous
Detachment and forward movement of an opaque retina into the front of the vitreous
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