A Comprehensive Guide to Cortical Cataract

Cortical cataract is a type of cataract that affects the lens of the eye. It is the most common type of cataract, and it occurs when the lens becomes cloudy. This can cause blurry vision and difficulty seeing clearly. In this blog post, we will discuss cortical cataract in detail. We will talk about its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. We hope that this information will help you better understand this condition and seek appropriate treatment if needed.

Defining Cortical Cataract

Cortical cataract is a type of cataract that affects the cortex of the lens. The cortex is the outer layer of the lens, and it is made up of proteins and water. When these proteins become damaged, they can clump together and cause the lens to become cloudy. This can lead to blurry vision and difficulty seeing clearly.

The important thing about cortical cataract is that it typically develops slowly over time. This means that it can be hard to notice at first. symptoms may not appear until the cataract has progressed significantly. For this reason, it’s important to have regular eye exams so that your doctor can monitor your eye health and catch any problems early.

It is important to note that cortical cataract is only one type of cataract. There are other types of cataracts that can affect the lens, including nuclear cataracts and posterior subcapsular cataracts.

How Is It Different From Other Types Of Cataracts?

As discussed above, there are other types of cataracts which can also cause the lens to become cloudy. So, what makes cortical cataract different?

One of the main differences is that cortical cataracts typically develop slowly. This means that they can be hard to notice at first. Symptoms may not appear until the cataract has progressed significantly.

Another difference is that cortical cataracts tend to affect the periphery of the lens first. This can cause your vision to become blurred or “wavy”. As the cataract progresses, it will move towards the center of the lens and impact your central vision more severely.

Nuclear cataracts, on the other hand, typically develop quickly and tend to affect your central vision first. Posterior subcapsular cataracts can develop quickly or slowly, and they usually impact your vision in a similar way to cortical cataracts.

Moreover, cortical cataracts are more common than the other types. They typically occur as people age, and they are the most common type of cataract in people over the age of 60.

Symptoms

Cortical cataracts can cause a number of symptoms, including:

• Blurry vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Problems with depth perception
• Glare and halos around lights
• Difficulty reading or recognizing faces
• Double vision in the affected eye
• Trouble with color vision
• Wavy or distorted vision

While these may seem similar to a regular cataracts, the important thing to remember is that cortical cataracts typically develop slowly. This means that symptoms may not appear until the cataract has progressed significantly.

Causes

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of cortical cataract, including:

• Age: As people age, their lenses become less flexible and more susceptible to damage. This can lead to the formation of cataracts.
• UV light exposure: Prolonged exposure to UV light can damage the proteins in the lens, leading to cataract formation.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoke contains harmful toxins that can damage the lens and lead to cataract formation.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes are at a higher risk for developing cataracts. This is because diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the eye, leading to lens damage.
• Previous eye surgery: People who have had previous eye surgery are at a higher risk for developing cataracts. For example, cataracts can develop after surgery to treat other conditions, such as glaucoma.

It is important to assess the risk factors for cortical cataract and take steps to reduce your risk. One may also want to keep in mind that cortical cataracts are more common in people over the age of 60.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing a rather complicated and it’s important to consult with your doctor. A comprehensive eye exam can help to identify cortical cataract. During the exam, your doctor will likely:

• Check your vision
• Evaluate your eyes for changes in the lens
• Test your eye muscle function
• Examine the retina and optic nerve for damage
• Do an intraocular pressure test

Your doctor may also recommend a number of other tests, including:

• Visual acuity test: This will assess your ability to see clearly at different distances.
• Visual field test: This will assess your peripheral vision.
• Slit-lamp examination: This will allow your doctor to closely examine your eyes for changes in the lens.
• Ultrasound: This may be used to assess the health of the optic nerve or determine the size and location of a cataract.

The type of test that your doctor recommends will depend on a number of factors, including your symptoms and medical history. It is important to work closely with an ophthalmologist with the right type of experience and education.

Treatment Options

Although this type of cataract typically develops slowly, it can eventually lead to serious vision problems. For this reason, it’s important to see your doctor for regular eye exams. If cataracts are detected early, they can be treated more effectively. Treatment options for cortical cataract include:

• Surgery: Surgery is the most common treatment for cataracts. During surgery, they remove the damaged lens and replace it with an artificial one. This is a fairly common and safe procedure that can help to improve your vision.
• Medication: In some cases, corticosteroid medications may be used to slow the progression of cataracts. For example, if you have diabetes, your doctor may prescribe steroids to help control the disease.
• Lifestyle changes: Making lifestyle changes can help to prevent cataracts from getting worse. This is especially important for people who are at a high risk for developing cataracts.

Moreover, there are also some preventive measures that can be taken, such as:

• Wearing UV-protective sunglasses: This can help to reduce your risk of developing cataracts.
• Eating a healthy diet: Eating a diet that is rich in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, can help to protect the lens from damage.
• Quitting smoking: Cigarette smoke contains harmful toxins that can damage the lens and lead to cataract formation.

If you have any risk factors for cortical cataract, it’s important to see your doctor for regular eye exams. Early detection and treatment is the key to preserving your vision.

Conclusion

Conclusively, we can say that cataracts are a common problem, especially as we age. Cortical cataract is one of the types of cataracts that is influenced a lot by age. We understood the causes, symptoms and treatment available for the same. It is important to consult a doctor as soon as you observe any changes in your vision. Only an experienced doctor would be able to give you the best course of action. A delay in treatment may lead to serious consequences like blindness.

If you or someone you know is looking for eye health-related guidance and treatment, do reach out to us! At EyeMantra we have a team of experienced eye surgeons, who will be happy to answer your any questions on cataract surgery, cataract surgery cost, cataract lens cost for different cataract surgery types- Phacoemulsification, MICS & Femto Laser Cataract . Call us at +91-9711116605 or email at [email protected] for inquiries.