Types of Cataracts | What Are the Three Main Types?

What are the different types of cataracts? Nuclear sclerotic cataracts, cortical cataracts, and posterior subcapsular cataracts can all develop as a natural part of the aging process.

The good news is that cataract treatment has become faster, safer, and virtually painless over the years. If you’re experiencing blurry vision and are worried that cataracts might affect your quality of life, you’re not alone.

Cataracts affect more than 24.4 million Americans aged 40 and older, and nearly half of all Americans will have cataracts by the age of 75. At Batal Specialist Complex, our eye doctors treat all types of cataracts.

The even better news is that cataract care is more accessible than ever. Cataract surgery is now one of the most common—and most successful—procedures performed. If you’re looking for cataract treatment, the eye care specialists at Batal Eye Center can help you understand the three main types of cataracts you may be dealing with.

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What Is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens that prevents light from passing clearly through to the retina. Cataracts form when proteins (or old, dead cells) build up on the lens, creating a hazy or opaque area.

If you’re unsure whether you have a cataract, you should see an ophthalmologist. Common symptoms of cataracts include:

Many people wonder about eye pain and how it relates to cataract formation. Does a cataract make your eye hurt? Can cataracts cause headaches?

Typically, no. However, your body may strain to compensate for reduced vision, which can indirectly lead to headaches. Eye pain itself is more likely to be caused by another condition, such as glaucoma.

Fortunately, both glaucoma and cataracts are treatable eye diseases. At the Eye Center in Batal Specialist Complex, our senior ophthalmologists offer several comfortable and effective treatment options.

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The Three Types of Cataracts

The basic approach to treating the main types of cataracts is largely similar, but there are important differences in how easily they are detected and how quickly they progress:

Nuclear Sclerotic Cataract

A nuclear sclerotic cataract forms in the central part of the lens (the nucleus) and usually develops as a result of aging. If you’re wondering, “What is the most common type of cataract?” the answer is nuclear sclerotic cataract.

In this common form of cataract, a process called “sclerosis” occurs, where the lens gradually hardens and turns yellow. This can make it harder to distinguish between colors and to see in low-light conditions. Nuclear sclerotic cataracts usually progress slowly, and in some cases, surgery may not be needed for quite some time.

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Cortical Cataract

The second main type of cataract is the cortical cataract, which develops in the outer layer (cortex) of the lens. It’s often noticed early because of the appearance of white, wedge-shaped streaks on the lens cortex, sometimes described as “cortical spokes.”

As these white streaks progress, they tend to grow and connect with each other, eventually blocking the central part of the lens and interfering with the passage of light. While a cortical cataract may be only mildly bothersome at first, surgery will ultimately be required to restore clear vision.

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Posterior Subcapsular Cataract

A posterior subcapsular cataract forms at the back of the lens, just in front of the posterior capsule. It is more commonly seen in people who have had eye damage from previous eye surgeries or injuries, those with poorly controlled high blood sugar (such as diabetes), or individuals who have used steroid medications in or around the eye.

Posterior subcapsular cataracts tend to be faster-growing cataracts. What does “fast-growing cataract” mean? It means the cataract can progress to the point of significantly reduced vision—sometimes in a matter of weeks or even days—compared with the months or years it usually takes for other cataracts to develop.

Although posterior subcapsular cataracts do not always progress rapidly, leaving them untreated can lead to severe visual impairment and even functional blindness. If you have any type of cataract, you should speak with an ophthalmologist about your treatment options as soon as possible.

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Types of Cataract Surgery

While home measures and lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of developing cataracts or slow their progression, there are currently no proven non-surgical methods to reverse or completely treat a cataract.

If you already have a cataract and want to get rid of it, surgery is your best option for restoring clear, healthy vision. The good news is that cataract surgery is fast and, for most patients, surprisingly painless. At the Eye Center in Batal Specialist Complex, we offer several cataract surgery options:

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Whatever eye problems or vision defects you may have, this delicate medical condition requires a thorough eye examination and appropriate treatment from a skilled, experienced ophthalmologist using effective medical technologies that deliver real results. Whatever eye disease you are dealing with, you can book an appointment at Batal Specialist Complex for a comprehensive eye exam and to begin addressing your vision issues, whatever they may be.

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