What Is a Posterior Capsular Cataract?

Cataracts are abnormal areas in the eye that are clouded or opaque. There are several different types, including the posterior capsular cataract, which is located in the outer, back layer of the eye's lens. While most kinds of cataracts form gradually, the posterior capsular cataract tends to develop more rapidly. This medical condition interferes with a patient's vision, particularly as it progresses. Patients may seek treatment with eye surgery to replace the affected lens.

Sometimes, cataracts may develop from an inherited genetic condition. Often, people acquire them due to damage from injury or aging. The eye's lens, located behind the iris, or colored area of the eye, is responsible for focusing light to produce clear images. When a cataract forms, it interferes with this process. Posterior capsular cataracts in particular tend to interfere with a person's reading vision.

Certain risk factors may render a person more susceptible to developing a posterior capsular cataract. The elderly, those with a family history of the vision condition, and those who have previously had eye surgery or an eye injury have an increased risk of developing cataracts. Lifestyle risk factors may include smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity, as well as consuming excessive amounts of alcohol and a great deal of exposure to sunlight. Diabetes, overuse of corticosteroid drugs, and exposure to ionizing radiation may also contribute.

Symptoms of a cataract tend to develop gradually, but patients with a posterior capsular cataract may notice symptoms more quickly, due to the accelerated rate of development. In addition to interfering with vision, this type of cataract may cause a halo to appear around lights and reduce a person's ability to see in bright light. Many people with cataracts find that they have more trouble seeing at night. Their vision may appear hazy or blurry and colors may appear less intense.

It is essential for patients to have regular eye exams, particularly those with a family history of vision disorders. Doctors who suspect cataracts will use a slit lamp to magnify the structures of the eye and see any abnormalities. He will also likely perform a retinal examination, during which the eyes are dilated with drops to examine the lens.

Posterior capsular cataracts are addressed with surgery. Most patients can wait to undergo surgery until the cataract interferes with their daily routines. Those with a posterior capsular cataract in both eyes will have surgery on one eye first, followed by a recovery period before undergoing a second procedure. During the surgery, the doctor will numb the eye and remove the affected lens with the posterior capsular cataract. It is then replaced with a synthetic lens.