Traumatic cataracts

Modern eye injuries are characterized by particular severity, causing death of the eye in 72.2% of cases. Symptoms of the consequences of eye contusions, which are complicated by damage to the lens, are severe, and the outcomes are unfavorable, than with traumatic cataracts, which are caused by penetrating wounds.

Traumatic cataract is divided into:

1. wound (in case of damage to the lens capsule and other signs of penetrating injury);
2. contusion;
3. chemical.

After a lens injury, its displacement (dislocation or subluxation) is observed.

Contusion cataract

1. Vossius annular cataract - a ring-shaped opacity resulting from a pigment imprint of the pupillary edge of the iris at the time of contusion. The pigment dissolves within a few weeks;
2. rosette - a banded subcapsular opacity that then spreads to the center of the rosette, and vision steadily declines. The first and second types of cataract are not accompanied by a rupture of the capsule, but occur as a result of concussion;
3. When the capsule ruptures, a total cataract occurs.

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Chemical cataracts

Clouding of the lens as a result of changes in the acidity of the anterior chamber fluid. In case of alkali burns, cataracts may develop at a later stage; in case of acid burns, cataracts develop in the first hours, accompanied by damage to the eyelids, conjunctiva, and cornea.

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Professional cataract

Radiation, thermal, caused by gas and electric welding, arising from poisoning.

Radiation cataracts

The lens absorbs X-rays, radiation rays, neurons and the shortest wavelengths of infrared rays. Radiation cataracts begin to develop at the posterior pole and have the shape of a disk or ring located between the posterior bag and the zone of detachment. Colored tints are visible against the background of opacities (with biomicroscopy). The latent period can last ten years or more. Caution is required during radiation therapy of the head and especially the eye socket. Cataracts caused by microwave radiation have the same features: opacities in the equatorial zone, in the lower half of the lens, under the capsule. The lesion is usually bilateral. It spreads very slowly.

Thermal cataract

Cataracts of glassblowers and workers in hot shops are known. These types of cataracts are called fire cataracts. Glassblowers' cataracts are distinguished by the fact that the anterior capsular and posterior cortical layers suffer. The distinctive feature is the exfoliation of the capsule in the pupil area.

Cataracts in poisoning

Opacities of the lens that occur in cases of general severe poisoning have been known for a long time. Such poisoning can be caused by ergot. They are accompanied by mental disorders, seizures and severe eye pathology - oculomotor dysfunction and complicated cataracts. Naphthalene, thallium, dinitrophenol, trinitrotoluene, nitro dyes also have a toxic effect on the lens. They can enter the body through the respiratory tract, stomach and skin. There are known cases of cataracts when taking certain medications, such as sulfonamides. If the body stops receiving toxic substances, toxic cataracts in the initial period can resolve. Long-term exposure to toxic substances on the lens causes irreversible opacities. In these cases, surgical treatment is required.

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