Cortical Cataract
What is Cortical Cataract?
Cortical cataracts are a kind of cataract that develops in the edges of the lens and then make their way towards the center in a spoke-like manner. A cortical cataract occurs in the edges of the lens – the cortex – hence the name cortical cataracts.
As the condition of the cortical cataract worsens, the light entering the eye is scattered, causing a hazy vision. Cortical senile cataract progress in two manners — they either develop slowly and stay the same for a long period or progress very rapidly.
There are two varieties of cortical cataract – posterior cortical cataract, and anterior cortical cataract.
Posterior cortical cataract is when the opacity develops in the layer that is right under the lens capsule. Similarly, anterior cortical cataract occurs in the front of the lens capsule, or inside it. It generally occurs due to a head or eye injury, rather than simply develop over time.
Some of the key symptoms for cortical cataract are:
- Hazy vision
- Severe glare from sources of light
- Difficulty in telling similar colours apart
- Difficulty in judging how far an object is placed
- Possible double vision in the affected eye – monocular diplopia
Cortical Cataract Causes
Some of the key causes of cortical cataract are:
- Progressing age
- Any eye injury
- History of cataract in the family
Risk factors of cortical cataract
Apart from the general causes, some of the risk factors which could to cortical cataract include:
- Lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension
- Severe myopia
- Smoking
Cortical Cataract Prevention
While preventing the development of cortical cataracts may be difficult, you can reduce the risk factors by taking the following steps:
- Stop smoking
- Protect yourself from harmful UV rays while stepping out
- Get your eyes tested regularly
- Keep diabetes and other lifestyle-related disorders under check
Cortical cataract diagnosis
A doctor looking to treat a person for cortical cataracts will undertake three tests predominantly.
These are:
- Visual acuity test: Also known as the generic ‘reading test’, the test requires the patient to read a set of letters in varying sizes from a fixed distance.
- Slit-lamp exam: The doctor uses a special microscope-like device with a light on it to examine different parts of the eye – the cornea, iris, and the lens, which is where the cataract is bound to develop.
- Retinal exam: The doctor administers drops into the patient’s eye to widen the retina. Once the eyes are adequately dilated, the doctor examines the retina along with the cataract to detect any abnormalities.
Cortical Cataract treatment
While surgery is often opted to treat cataracts, early stages of the disorder can be managed with prescription glasses. Getting spectacles with a stronger lens will help make the vision better for a while.
However, one cannot put off surgery for too long. While there are several kinds of procedures to resolve cataract, the method in every procedure remains the same — the cloudy lens is replaced with a normal lens to make the vision clearer. The procedure usually lasts 15 to 20 minutes and does not require admission to a hospital.
If you or someone close to you has developed a cortical cataract, do not put off an eye test. Walk into Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital for an appointment with top specialists and surgeons in the field of eye care. Book an appointment now.
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