{"id":47,"date":"2016-08-25T01:23:10","date_gmt":"2016-08-25T01:23:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cataractcourse.com\/?page_id=47"},"modified":"2017-02-02T02:06:11","modified_gmt":"2017-02-02T02:06:11","slug":"cataracts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/cataractcourse.com\/cataracts\/","title":{"rendered":"Types of cataracts"},"content":{"rendered":"

The three most common types of cataracts in adults are nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular cataracts. Congenital cataracts are a major cause of leukocoria in infants and can lead to vision loss and amblyopia if left untreated.<\/p>\n

Nuclear cataracts<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Nuclear cataracts are the most common type.\u00a0These usually manifest with blurred vision, myopic shift, and loss of blue\/yellow color perception.\u00a0They are most commonly associated with increased age, but smoking, gender, and diet may also influence their development.<\/p>\n

Nuclear cataract<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Brunescent cataracts are very advanced nuclear cataracts that are opaque and brown.\u00a0Their increased density makes phacoemulsification very difficult and increases risk of complications. Morgagnian cataracts are a special case of hypermature cataract (see page on\u00a0cataract grading<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Cortical cataracts<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Cortical cataracts are often wedge-shaped in appearance and located in the inferior or nasal aspect of the lens.<\/p>\n

Symptoms include glare and diminished reading capacity.\u00a0Risk factors include race (African Americans), diabetes, sunlight exposure, trauma, and smoking.<\/p>\n

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Lamellar cataract (opacity within the cortex only)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Cortical cataract<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A closer view of a wedge-shaped cortical cataract<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Posterior subcapsular cataracts<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Posterior-Subcapsular\"
Posterior subcapsular cataract<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Posterior subcapsular cataracts occur just inside the outer lens capsule.\u00a0These can be more rapidly symptomatic and may manifest with glare, diminished reading capacity and monocular diplopia. Younger patients are more likely to experience these cataracts than\u00a0nuclear or cortical cataracts.\u00a0Risk factors include glucocorticoid use, uveitis, retinitis pigmentosa, diabetes, radiation.<\/p>\n

Congenital cataracts
\n<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Congenital cataract<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These cataracts are opacifications that appear within the first year after birth. Causes may be either\u00a0genetic, traumatic, or infectious.<\/p>\n