What is Traumatic Cataract?

Traumatic cataract is clouding of the lens and eyes that may occur after either blunt or penetrating ocular trauma that disrupts and damages the lens fibers. Most of the traumatic cataracts lead to eye lens swelling, but the type and clinical course depends on trauma and the integrity of the capsular bag. Traumatic cataracts occur in 24% of patients with globe contusions across the globe.

A concussion cataract may occur due to and in a blunt trauma. The lens capsule is not extensively damaged but becomes progressively opaque over a period of time. The traumatic cataract pathophysiology is the direct rupture and distortion of capsule or coup, equatorial expansion due to various forces transferring the energy effect of trauma to the other side of the eye.

Traumatic Cataract Symptoms

Discomfort and pain
Reddish eye
Anterior chamber cell reaction
Corneal infection and edema
Blurry vision

Causes of Traumatic Cataract

Infrared lights
Electric sparks
Long Radiation
Eye Rupture
Long exposure to ultraviolet rays
Head Injury

Risk Factors

Associated with Traumatic Cataract

Smoking
Drinking too much alcohol
Spending too much time in the sun without sunglasses
Diabetes
A serious eye or head injury
Any other eye condition
Taking steroids for an extended time
Radiation treatment for cancer or other diseases

Prevention of Traumatic Cataract

It is essential to avoid eye injuries and eye trauma by taking appropriate measures. The most important thing is to use protective eyewear, including glasses and eye shields, to prevent eye injuries in hazardous situations at work and play, not spending too much time under the influence of infrared rays, ultra violet rays etc.

Traumatic Cataract types

Blunt Trauma:

This trauma occurs when an object collides with, but does not penetrate or cut, the eye or face with a force. Some examples of blunt trauma are a punch on the eye, being hit in the eye with a ball, etc. Damage to the lens can result in either an immediate cataract or a delayed cataract causing extreme trauma.

Penetrating Trauma:

This trauma occurs when a sharp object, such as a piece of glass, a pencil, or a nail, penetrates and hits the eye. If the object goes through the cornea to the lens, a traumatic cataract is to be expected almost at the very same instant. A full rupture and damage of the lens is also possible. It may lead to partial or full cataract and blindness.

Chemical Trauma:

This type of trauma refers to the penetration of the eye by a chemical substance that is alien to the eye, resulting in a change in the overall composition of the lens fibers and leading to the cause of traumatic cataract.

Radiation Trauma:

Radiation exposure, usually common among children, can damage and rupture the lens and eye vision causing a traumatic cataract. Often, there is an extensive period between the contact and exposure to radiation and the stages of development of the cataract. The cataract is usually the aftereffect of the radiation.

Diagnosis of Traumatic Cataract:

Differential Diagnoses

Angle-Recession Glaucoma
Choroidal Damage
Corneoscleral Laceration
Ectopia Lentis
Hyphema
Senile Cataract (Age-Related Cataract)
Sudden Vision Loss

Traumatic cataract For Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital