Types of Cataracts

There are a several different types of cataracts that may develop in your eye’s lens, resulting in a deterioration of your vision. In general, there are two criteria used to classify the various types of cataracts: location in the lens and origin.

Cataracts Classified by Location

Several types of cataracts are classified based on the location of the clouding of your eye’s lens. These include:

Nuclear Sclerotic Cataract – This is the most common type of cataract developing as a result of aging. It causes a gradual yellow cloudiness and hardening of the nucleus, or central portion, of your eye’s lens. Nuclear sclerotic cataracts produce a gradual deterioration in vision.
Cortical Cataract – This type of cataract clouds the periphery of your lens, called the cortex. Cortical cataracts generally look like wheel spokes which point inward towards the nucleus of the lens. As a result, light will scatter when it hits the spokes.
Posterior Subcapsular Cataract – This type of cataract occurs on the back of the lens, below the lens capsular bag which encases the lens. People who develop posterior subcapsular cataracts experience light sensitivity, blurry near vision, and glare and halos. They most commonly develop in people who suffer from diabetes or who have taken steroids for a prolonged time period.

Cataracts Classified by Origin

Other types of cataracts are classified based on the manner in which they develop. These include:

Age-Related Cataract – This is the most common type of cataract. While it is possible to develop cataracts as early as your 40s or 50s, they most commonly affect people in their 60s or 70s.
Secondary Cataract – These cataracts develop after undergoing eye surgery, generally to treat a condition such as glaucoma or a retinal problem. Diabetics and steroid users are also prone to developing secondary cataracts.
Traumatic Cataract – When your eye suffers a traumatic injury, it may result in the development of cataracts. These may form immediately following the injury or years later. Blunt trauma to the eye and chemical exposure are the two most common causes of traumatic cataracts.
Congenital Cataract – In some cases, children are born with cataracts. In mild cases, congenital cataracts will not substantially impact your vision. However, in more severe cases, these cataracts must be removed in order to avoid additional vision issues such as strabismus or amblyopia.
Radiation Cataract – These are very rare, resulting from exposure to certain types of radiation, particularly ultraviolet light.

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