Understanding Cataract Types: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

A comprehensive overview of cataract types, their symptoms, causes, and effective treatment options for clear vision at every age.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 25, 2025

A comprehensive overview of cataract types, their symptoms, causes, and effective treatment options for clear vision at every age.

Types of Cataracts: Comprehensive Guide

Cataracts are a common eye condition marked by the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which leads to blurred vision and, if untreated, potential blindness. While cataracts most often develop due to aging, they can also be present at birth or result from injury, disease, or medication. Understanding the different types is crucial for early detection and effective management.
Below, we’ll explore primary cataract types, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options in detail.

What is a Cataract?

Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy. This clouding prevents light from passing clearly through to the retina, resulting in impaired vision. Cataracts can affect one or both eyes but they do not spread from one eye to the other.

Main Types of Cataracts

Most cataracts fall into three main categories based on their location and distinguishing features. Beyond these, congenital and secondary types exist, though less common.

Nuclear Sclerotic Cataract
Cortical Cataract
Posterior Subcapsular Cataract
Congenital Cataract
Other Uncommon Cataracts

Nuclear Sclerotic Cataract

Nuclear sclerotic cataract is the most common type, primarily affecting older adults since it develops as the lens ages. Here’s what distinguishes it:

Forms in the center (nucleus) of the lens
Lens gradually becomes hard (sclerotic) and turns yellow or brown
Manifests slowly, so symptoms may progress over years
Early signs include trouble seeing distant objects clearly while near vision may temporarily improve (“second sight”)
Colors may appear faded and distinguishing shades becomes difficult
Causes progressive blurring, poor night vision, and increased glare

Nuclear sclerotic cataracts are highly age-related.
Key point: Slow progression means treatment (such as surgery) may not be needed for many years, but monitoring is important.

Cortical Cataract

Cortical cataracts form in the cortex, or outer edge, of the lens. Their telltale sign is the “spoke-like” or star-shaped opacities visible during an eye exam.

Appear as white streaks, wedges, or spokes radiating from the edge inward
Light entering the eye is scattered, leading to blurred vision and glare
Loss of contrast, trouble with depth perception
May cause issues with judging distances or handling bright lights

Cortical cataracts start with mild symptoms but may progress toward the lens’s center, worsening visual impairment. Surgery becomes necessary as clouding increases and daily life is affected.

Posterior Subcapsular Cataract

Posterior subcapsular cataracts develop at the back of the lens beneath the capsule, exactly where light focuses for reading and detailed vision.

Starts as a small, cloudy spot at the rear of the lens
Grows quickly compared to other cataract types
Common symptoms: glare or halos around lights, trouble reading, especially in bright light
Vision is most affected when looking at close objects or when exposed to bright light sources
Often arises in people with diabetes, steroid use, or previous eye injury or surgery

Fast progression can lead to significant visual impairment within months to a few years.
Key point: Posterior subcapsular cataracts require close monitoring and often earlier intervention.

Congenital Cataract

Congenital cataracts are present at birth or develop in early childhood and may be inherited or result from infection, trauma, or metabolic conditions affecting the newborn in the womb.

Can affect one or both eyes
May not impact vision unless the central lens is clouded
Prompt removal is vital if vision is affected, to avoid permanent impairment
Associated conditions include rubella, galactosemia, myotonic dystrophy, and neurofibromatosis type 2

If a child is diagnosed with a cataract, an eye specialist will advise whether surgery is required.

Other Cataract Types

Traumatic cataracts: Form after eye injury, may appear quickly or over time.
Secondary cataracts: Develop as a result of other eye conditions, surgeries, or systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes).
Anterior and posterior polar cataracts: Affect specific parts of the lens poles, often hereditary.
Cerulean cataracts: Rare, bluish-colored opacities, often seen in childhood and usually don’t affect vision seriously.

Table: Overview of Cataract Types

Type	Location	Symptoms	Progression Rate	Usual Age of Onset
Nuclear Sclerotic	Center of the lens (nucleus)	Blurry distance vision, faded colors, poor night vision	Slow (years)	Middle age & older adults
Cortical	Lens cortex (outer edge)	Glare, blurred vision, contrast loss	Moderate	Older adults
Posterior Subcapsular	Back of lens, beneath capsule	Halos, glare, difficulty reading	Fast (months–years)	Any age, often working-age adults
Congenital	Anywhere in lens	Varies, often mild unless central	Present at birth; variable	Infants, children
Other (polar, traumatic, cerulean)	Poles, entire lens, lens periphery	Depends on type; can cause multiple visual issues	Variable	Any age

Causes and Risk Factors

Cataracts generally form due to normal aging, but risk factors include:

Genetic predisposition
Diabetes and high blood sugar levels
Long-term use of corticosteroids
Eyelens injury or prior surgery
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light
History of excessive alcohol consumption or smoking
Underlying conditions in pregnancy (for congenital)

Preventing cataracts involves protecting eyes from UV damage, managing health conditions, and attending regular eye exams for early detection.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Blurry, cloudy, or dim vision
Difficulty seeing at night or in low light
Glare and halos around lights
Increased sensitivity to bright lights
Faded colors, poor contrast
Frequent need for changing eyeglass prescription
Double vision (in severe cases)

Symptoms may vary based on the cataract type and its progression.

Diagnosing Cataracts

Eye specialists diagnose cataracts using several methods:

Comprehensive eye exam to check clarity and lens opacity
Slit-lamp examination for detailed lens observation
Retina exam to exclude other vision issues
Visual acuity tests to quantify vision loss

Grading systems, such as those established by the World Health Organization (WHO), help determine the severity and guide treatment options.

Treatment Options

Cataracts are ultimately treated with surgery, but not all require immediate intervention. The timing depends on the impact on daily activities and symptom severity.

Non-surgical management: Stronger lighting, eyeglasses, magnification tools for early cataracts
Surgical management: Outpatient removal of the cloudy lens and replacement with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Modern techniques include phacoemulsification, a minimally invasive procedure.
Monitoring: Regular eye exams are recommended for people with early-stage cataracts.

Surgery is highly effective and safe, with most people regaining improved vision and quality of life afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the most common type of cataract?

A: Nuclear sclerotic cataracts are the most common, especially in older adults. These form gradually and primarily affect distance vision.

Q: Are cataracts reversible?

A: Cataracts cannot be reversed with medication or lifestyle changes. The only definitive treatment is surgical removal of the cloudy lens.

Q: How quickly do cataracts progress?

A: Progression depends on the type. Nuclear and cortical cataracts may take years, while posterior subcapsular cataracts can worsen over months.

Q: Can children get cataracts?

A: Yes, known as congenital cataracts. Some children are born with cataracts or develop them due to inherited conditions or infections during pregnancy.

Q: Will cataracts affect both eyes?

A: Cataracts can affect one or both eyes, but do not spread between them. Each eye is assessed and managed individually.

Q: Is cataract surgery safe?

A: Cataract surgery is among the safest and most common surgeries worldwide, with a high success rate and low risk of complications.

Q: How can I prevent cataracts?

A: Protect eyes from UV rays, control chronic health problems like diabetes, avoid smoking, and eat a nutrient-rich diet. Regular eye exams promote early detection.

Key Takeaways

Three main cataract types: nuclear sclerotic, cortical, posterior subcapsular
Symptoms and progression vary by type and location
Diagnosis is clinical; surgery remains the primary, effective treatment
Congenital, secondary, and traumatic cataracts are less common but important to understand
Early detection and regular eye care are vital for maintaining sight

When to See an Eye Doctor

If you notice vision changes—such as increased glare, struggling with night vision, or persistent blur—schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Early management can help prevent long-term complications and preserve your vision.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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