While cataracts are commonly associated with advanced age, there are also types that are not related to aging. Cataract types are named based on their shape, cause, or age at development.
Cataracts are cloudy areas in the lenses of your eyes. Normally, a lens is clear, and it’s responsible for helping your eye see by refracting light.
Despite the numerous types of cataracts and their differences in causes, most have one thing in common: Surgery is necessary to treat them.
Types of cataracts
According to the National Eye Institute , there are five primary types of cataracts :
- age-related
- pediatric/congenital
- secondary
- radiation
- traumatic
However, there are even more subtypes of cataracts to consider under these umbrella forms.
Cataract development is common as you get older due to changes in your eye lenses. While these changes start to develop around age 40, they’re most common after 60 years of age.
Certain lifestyle habits and underlying medical conditions may also contribute to age-related cataract development. These include:
- family history of cataracts
- previous eye surgery
- steroid medications for inflammatory conditions or autoimmune diseases
- diabetes
- smoking
- heavy alcohol use
Gradual changes to your vision and sensitivity to light are common with age-related cataracts. These include blurry vision, difficulty seeing bright colors, and problems seeing at night.
Once cataracts develop, the only way to remove them is with surgery. For mild cases, however, an eye doctor may first recommend other treatments , such as prescription eyeglasses to help you see better.
There are also three main types of age-related cataracts to consider: cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular. These are named based on their location on your eye’s lens.
Cortical cataracts
Cortical cataracts are named for their wedge shapes. They also develop along the layer of your lens that surrounds the nucleus of your eye.
Like all types of age-related cataracts, cortical cataracts can impact your vision, causing blurriness and problems seeing in different lighting.
Cortical cataracts are removed by surgery in cases where your vision and daily activities are significantly impacted.
Polychromatic cataracts
Polychromatic cataracts are a subtype of cortical cataracts. These are also called Christmas tree cataracts due to the varying colors of needle-shaped crystals that develop in your eye’s cortex.
Unlike other types of age-related cataracts, polychromatic versions don’t usually cause problems with your vision. If so, they may not require treatment. Instead, an eye doctor may monitor your condition for signs of progression.
Nuclear cataracts
Like cortical cataracts, nuclear cataracts affect the nucleus of your eyes, and they are located in the center of your lens. They’re the most common type of age-related cataract.
Nuclear cataract symptoms are similar to other age-related cataracts, but they are also notable for causing nighttime glare . Over time, an eye doctor can detect changes in the color of the nucleus from clear to yellow or brown.
Surgical treatment is needed to prevent nuclear cataracts from progressing to glaucoma .
Posterior subcapsular cataracts
Posterior subcapsular cataracts (PSCs) develop at the back of the lens of the eyes. These also tend to develop in younger adults and progress quicker than other types of cataracts.
It’s also thought that other factors may contribute to PSC development, including diabetes, long-term steroid use, and systemic inflammation.
Symptoms and development of PSC is often spontaneous in nature. You may experience blurry vision, and symptoms may also be more noticeable under bright light exposure.
Prompt identification and treatment of PSC is important to prevent the progression of this rapidly developing type of cataract. Like other cataracts, this will involve surgery.
Diabetic snowflake cataracts
Diabetic snowflake cataracts are subtypes of cortical or PSC cataracts caused by diabetes . The “snowflake” refers to the small white dots that can form along the eye lens. Overall, this type of cataract is considered rare .
A diabetic snowflake cataract may cause blurry vision and other changes. Upon clinical examination, an eye doctor may see white spots along the lens of your eyes shaped like a snowflake.
While the cataract itself may be removed with surgery, eye problems may be treated by managing glucose levels in diabetes.
Congenital and pediatric cataracts
Congenital cataracts are those that are present at birth, or develop at a very young age. These may be genetic , or can be the result of issues during pregnancy, such as rubella , or a serious illness after birth.
Children can also develop cataracts from radiation, injuries, and underlying health conditions.
Regardless of the cause, congenital and pediatric cataracts are rare .
Not all cataracts in children cause symptoms. In fact, some cataracts may be so small that only an eye doctor can detect them.
On the other hand, if cataracts do cause vision problems in your child, surgery is necessary to treat them and also prevent further complications like lazy eye ( amblyopia ).
Posterior polar cataracts
Posterior polar cataracts (PPCs) are rare types of congenital cataracts. They’re inherited and difficult to treat.
Among some of the most notable symptoms of PPCs include problems with nearsightedness and farsightedness . These are severe enough to interfere with everyday life.
While PPCs can only be treated with surgery, the location of the cataract makes it susceptible to complications, such as bursting .
Secondary cataracts
Also called “after-cataract opacification,” these may develop from scar tissue after an initial cataract surgery. They’re considered common, affecting 2 in 5 people after surgery.
Other causes of secondary cataracts may include steroid use, smoking or alcohol use, as well as nutritional deficiencies.
Symptoms of secondary cataracts are similar to the original cataract. You may notice cloudy vision like you had before cataract surgery.
Unlike other types of cataracts, surgery isn’t needed for secondary forms. Instead, an eye doctor will treat them with laser therapy. Normal vision is usually restored within a few days of laser treatment.
Radiation cataracts
As their name suggests, radiation cataracts are caused by radiation exposure. These may be caused by radiation treatment for cancer, as well as exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Radiation cataracts may cause vision problems similar to those seen in other cataract subtypes. However, symptoms may not develop for several years after radiation exposure.
High radiation exposure can cause symptoms within a few years , while low doses may not cause vision problems for up to decades after exposure.
Radiation cataracts, as with other types, can only be treated with surgery .
Traumatic cataracts
Traumatic cataracts develop after a serious injury to your eye. The timeline of cataract development varies from immediately after the injury to several years later . It’s estimated that 65% of eye injuries lead to the development of cataracts at some point.
You may notice changes to your vision, as well as sensitivity to light. Depending on the severity, you might experience either short-term or long-term loss of vision.
Treatment for traumatic cataracts may involve surgical removal, as well as other treatments to address the underlying injury.
Anterior subcapsular cataracts
Unlike PSC, which develops at the back of the eye lens, anterior subcapsular cataracts (ASCs) develop at the front of your lens. While there are different potential causes of their development, it’s thought that ASC may occur spontaneously or after a traumatic injury.
Some studies have also found an association of ASC with certain medications. These include netarsudil for glaucoma and enfortumab vedotin for bladder cancer. However, more studies are needed to confirm such links.
Blurry vision and light sensitivities may develop with ASC.
Surgery is considered for ASC when visual changes are severe enough to impact quality of life.
When to contact a doctor
If you suspect you may have cataracts, it’s important to see an ophthalmologist . While all eye doctors can help diagnose eye problems, they are the ones who can perform surgeries necessary to treat cataracts.
Consider contacting an ophthalmologist if you experience any of the possible symptoms of cataracts :
- blurry vision
- double vision
- problems seeing at night, especially while driving or reading
- sensitivity to light
- seeing yellow instead of bright colors
How do doctors diagnose the different types of cataracts?
Cataracts are generally diagnosed with a comprehensive eye exam , which includes magnification of your eye’s lens to help an eye doctor look for cataracts. They may be able to tell which type of cataract you have based on its shape, color, and location, as well as:
- your age
- family history of cataracts
- underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes
- whether you take steroids for certain medical conditions
- history of smoking or alcohol use
Frequently asked questions about types of cataracts
Before you discuss cataracts with an ophthalmologist, consider the following frequently asked questions about the different types:
What is the most serious or aggressive type of cataract?
Posterior subcapsular cataracts (PSCs) are the most aggressive type of cataract, as they develop the most rapidly . Polychromatic cataracts may perhaps be the least aggressive, as these may not cause symptoms .
Which type of cataract is the most common?
Age-related cataracts are the most common , as they develop naturally with changes to your eyes. However, these are even more common in people who have a history of smoking or excessive alcohol use.
Which type of cataract is the most difficult to remove?
Some cataracts may be more difficult to remove, but this is usually related to other factors besides their type. Before surgery, an ophthalmologist will consider the hardness of the cataract, as well as any other factors like prior injury to the eye.
What is the outlook for cataracts
Cataracts that are diagnosed and treated promptly have positive outcomes. However, if cataracts are left untreated, they may progress to further vision problems. This includes cataract-induced blindness .
Also, if you have risk factors for cataract development, it’s important to see an eye doctor for regular exams. A doctor can’ t predict exactly when cataracts could develop in your eyes, but the sooner cataracts are diagnosed, the sooner you can receive treatment and preserve your vision.
Takeaway
Age-related cataracts are the most common types of cataracts, and they may develop in varying shapes along different parts of the eye lens. Cataracts may also be caused by underlying medical conditions, genetics and injuries to the eye.
Only an eye doctor can accurately diagnose your condition. If you experience any changes to your vision, it’s important to contact them right away, as prompt treatment can help prevent further vision loss.
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