Opacification of the lens of the eye due to proteins in the lens degrading
Causes/Factors
- Previous eye surgery
- Older age
- Trauma
Presentation
Symptoms are usually asymmetrical, as both eyes are affected separately. It presents with:
- Slow reduction in visual acuity
- Progressive blurring of the vision - chronic visual acuity loss - finding it hard to read
- Colours becoming more faded, brown or yellow
- Starbursts can appear around lights, particularly at night
Loss of the red reflex is a key examination finding
Management
- Cataracts surgery - lens replacement