Cataract

Question 1

What are cataracts?

Answer 1

opacifications within the lens due to abnormal changes in the lens proteins (crystallins) - this results in a chemical and structural alteration leading to a loss of transparency

Question 2

What are cataracts due to?

Answer 2

age related degenerative changes in the fibres and repair mechanisms altering with age

Question 3

What can cause cataracts, apart from age?

Answer 3

UVB sun exposure
hypertension
smoking
post op
trauma
metabolic disorders
genetics
diabetes - increased production of sorbitol
drug induced - steroids
congenital - intrauterine infection

Question 4

What are the two types of cataracts?

Answer 4

Nuclear cataract

Posterior subcapsular cataract

Question 5

What is the presentation of a cataract?

Answer 5

gradual decline in vision - hazy or blurred - cannot be corrected by glasses

Question 6

How are cataracts managed?

Answer 6

surgical removal with intra ocular lens implant - ONLY IF PATIENT IS SYMPTOMATIC

Question 7

What is a nuclear cataract?

Answer 7

opaque or cloudy area over the middle of the lens

Question 8

What is a posterior subcapsular cataract?

Answer 8

small opaque or cloudy area on the back surface of the lens, beneath the lens capsule