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The morphology of cataract and visual performance
1Clinical Cataract Research Unit, Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Oxford, UK.
Eye (London, England)
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Cataracts impair vision through light scattering, affecting contrast, glare, and visual acuity. Different cataract types (cortical spoke, nuclear, PSC) impact vision uniquely, making disability assessment complex.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optics
- Vision Science
Background:
- Cataracts are a leading cause of visual impairment globally.
- Senile cataracts are classified into cortical spoke, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular (PSC) types.
- Cataracts significantly alter the optical properties of the eye.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse effects of cataracts on visual function.
- To classify the morphological types of senile cataracts.
- To discuss how different cataract morphologies impact visual disability.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cataract effects on vision.
- Classification of senile cataract morphologies.
- Analysis of light scattering as a primary optical effect.
Main Results:
- Light scattering by cataracts reduces contrast sensitivity, causes glare, and lowers visual acuity.
- Other effects include myopic shift, astigmatism changes, monocular diplopia/polyopia, color vision shifts, reduced light transmission, and visual field reduction.
- The impact of cataract morphology and severity on visual function varies.
Conclusions:
- Visual disability assessment requires considering more than just visual acuity or objective cataract measurements.
- Understanding specific cataract morphologies is crucial for predicting visual impairment.
- Cataract's effects are multifaceted, involving optical distortions and functional deficits.