Rare Types of Cataracts (WIP)

Cataracts are known for causing vision loss by the lens of the eye becoming cloudy, which is mostly common in older people. There are three common types of cataracts, such as the nuclear, poster-subcapsular, and cortical cataracts. However, did you know that there are some rare cases of cataracts, like the Christmas Tree cataract? This blog will go through some rare kinds of cataracts and their characteristics, which might apply to you!

Christmas Tree Cataract

The Christmas Tree cataract (CTC) gets its name through its appearance resembling a Christmas tree with its rare colours, such as gold, red, and green. This rare colour combination is rooted in myotonic dystrophy in most cases rather than old age, which is a form of muscle degeneration that can weaken the muscles and certain organs in the body. Many cases of CTC, however, are from unspecific causes. Like all cataract treatments, surgery is the only effective treatment. This is a traditional cataract surgery, where the lens is removed and is then replaced with an artificial lens, called the intraocular lens (IOL).

Black Cataract 

As hinted by its name, the black cataract (also known as the Moraganian cataract) is where the eyes become completely opaque and dark. This is a type of hypermature cataract, a severe stage where the lens nucleus becomes extremely hardened to the point that it goes through the discolouration process. This process, also known as brunescence, is gradual, beginning as a yellowing but then progressing into orange and brown. This stage is usually rooted in untreated or prolonged cataracts, from either old age or conditions such as diabetes. If still not treated, this cataract can cause legal blindness, reducing the vision to only register light and hand movements. Nevertheless, due to the severity of this cataract, the surgical procedure is further complicated, increasing the risks of zonular tears and posterior capsular tears for patients.

Cerulean Cataract 

Unlike most cataracts, the Cerulean cataract is an inherited eye condition that can be present at birth or developed in early childhood, rather than being formed at an old age or other diseases. The cause of this cataract is a genetic change in several genes. The symptoms of this cataract are commonly most present in the child years but can still become prevalent in adults’ years or adolescence. The cataract is identified through its blue and white opacifications in the nucleus and cortex of the lens. Like every cataract, the treatment for Cerulean cataract would be a surgical cataract removal with artificial lens placement. Nevertheless, due to this cataract being a genetic condition, this condition can be passed down to the patient’s child due to it being a dominant genetic mutation. Want to learn more about what type of cataract you may have? Book an appointment with SA

Eyes Specialists!

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