What is Cortical Cataract?

Cortical cataracts begin at the edges of the lens and progress towards the center in a spoke-like manner, gradually affecting vision and causing hazy sight as they advance. 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

Two Types of Cortical Cataracts

Cortical cataracts develop at the lens edges and progress inward in a spoke-like manner, scattering light and impairing vision. This progression often causes colour distortion, glare sensitivity, and gradual loss of sharp visual clarity.

Posterior cortical cataracts form beneath the lens capsule, significantly affecting vision by increasing glare and reducing clarity, especially in bright light or at night-time, making them more visually disabling than other cataract types.

Posterior Cortical Cataract

If you or someone close to you has developed a cortical cataract, don’t delay in seeking expert care. At Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, our renowned specialists and experienced surgeons provide advanced, personalised cataract treatments supported by decades of clinical excellence.

Anterior Cortical Cataract

While surgery is the definitive treatment for advanced cortical cataracts, early stages can sometimes be managed with prescription glasses, depending on the cataract’s progression and as advised by ophthalmologists.

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.