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Cataracts are a widespread eye condition that impacts millions of individuals globally. There are different types of cataracts depending on where they start, their cause, and stage. In this guide, we explain the main types of cataracts, including the three types most commonly asked about, their meanings, and how they affect daily life.
You’ll learn the signs to watch for, how doctors distinguish between different types of cataracts, and when treatment is typically recommended.
Understanding Cataracts
A cataract is an eye condition that happens when the eye’s clear lens becomes cloudy. This clouding blocks light from focusing well on the retina, so vision looks blurry, colours fade, and bright lights can cause glare, especially at night.
Cataracts can form slowly with age, or after injury, radiation exposure, or certain medical conditions (for example, diabetes) and medicines (like long-term steroids). Knowing the cause helps your doctor identify the type of cataracts you may have and choose the best time and treatment to keep your vision clear.
Types of Cataracts: What They Are and How They Feel
By where the clouding starts, the classic three types of cataracts most people ask about are nuclear (centre of the lens), cortical (outer rim, spokes), and posterior subcapsular/PSC (back of the lens).
By cause, you’ll see age-related, congenital/pediatric (from birth/early life), traumatic (after injury), secondary (linked to diabetes, steroids, uveitis, etc.), and radiation. By pattern, less common forms include posterior polar, rosette, lamellar/zonular, and Christmas tree. And by stage, immature (early), mature (advanced), and hypermature (over-ripe).
Below are the types of cataracts, along with their associated symptoms.
| Name | What happens | Symptoms (simple) |
| Nuclear cataract | Clouding starts in the centre (nucleus) of the lens | Gradual blur, yellowing; distance vision worse; sometimes temporary “near vision better” |
| Cortical cataract | Spoke-like opacities from the lens rim moving inward | Glare/halos, poor night driving, contrast loss |
| Posterior subcapsular (PSC) | Clouding at the back of the lens, just under the capsule | Fast glare in bright light, near vision drops, reading trouble |
| Age-related | Natural wear-and-tear changes with age | Slow blur, stronger glasses/rim light needed over time |
| Congenital / Pediatric | Present at birth/early life; genetic or from infections/metabolic issues | White/grey pupil, nystagmus, poor tracking |
| Traumatic | After blunt/penetrating injury or chemical burn | Blur after injury (immediate or delayed), glare, irregular pupil possible |
| Secondary | From other eye/system conditions (e.g., diabetes, steroids, uveitis) | Vision varies; often faster to change if the cause is active |
| Radiation | After ionizing radiation exposure (medical/occupational) | Gradual blur years after exposure |
| Posterior polar | Dense opacity at the back pole of the lens | Central blur, glare; surgery needs extra care |
| Rosette | Star/rosette-shaped opacity (often after trauma) | Localised blur, glare, and a star-shaped pattern on examination |
| Lamellar / Zonular | Clouding in specific layers (rings/zones) of the lens | Patchy blur since childhood/early life; may be stable or progress |
| Christmas tree | Multicolour, needle-like crystals in the lens | Sparkly reflex on exam; variable blur/glare |
| Immature (stage) | Partly cloudy lens; light still passes | Mild–moderate blur, night glare, frequent glasses changes |
| Mature (stage) | Lens mostly/fully cloudy | Marked blur, strong glare; daily tasks hard |
| Hypermature (stage) | Over-ripe lens may leak/shrink | Vision very poor; may raise eye pressure/inflame eye |
| After-cataract (PCO) | Post-surgery film on capsule (not a true cataract) | Blur and glare months/years after surgery |
Nuclear Cataract
Starts in the center (nucleus) of the lens and gradually hardens or yellows. Distance vision in nuclear cataract often deteriorates first; colours may appear dull. Some people notice near vision seems better for a while (“myopic shift”).
Cortical Cataract
Begins at the outer rim of the lens and grows inward like spokes. Cortical cataract scatters light, causing glare and halos, particularly when viewed against headlights and bright sunlight. Night driving becomes difficult.
Posterior Subcapsular (PSC)
Sits at the back of the lens, just under the capsule. Posterior Subcapsular often progresses more rapidly, causing bright-light glare and difficulty with near tasks, such as reading.
Age-Related Cataract
The common, slow-growing kind is linked to getting older(people above 60). It usually affects both eyes, but not equally or at the same rate. Glasses help for a while; surgery is planned when daily life is affected.
Congenital / Pediatric Cataract
Congenital cataract is present at birth or appear in early childhood from genes, infections in pregnancy, or metabolic issues. Needs early diagnosis; treatment timing is important to support normal vision development.
Traumatic Cataract
Follows a blow, cut, or chemical injury to the eye. Clouding may appear right away or months later. Always wear protective eyewear when engaging in risky work or sports.
Secondary Cataract
Caused by other eye or body conditions (e.g., diabetes, uveitis) or medicines (long-term steroids). Managing the underlying cause can slow changes; surgery clears the clouding when needed.
Radiation Cataract
Develops after ionizing radiation exposure (certain medical/occupational settings). Often appears years after exposure and is treated like other cataracts when vision drops.
Posterior Polar Cataract
A dense spot at the back pole of the lens. Posterior polar cataract can affect central vision early and may require extra care during surgery because the back capsule can be fragile.
Rosette Cataract
Shows a star/rosette pattern, usually after blunt trauma. Symptoms of rosette Cataract vary with size and location; glare and local blur are common.
Lamellar / Zonular Cataract
Clouding in specific layers or rings of the lens often starts in childhood. Vision may be patchy in a lamellar cataract; it can stay stable for years or slowly progress.
Christmas Tree Cataract
Has tiny, multicoloured needle-like crystals that sparkle on exam. Vision impact ranges from mild to noticeable glare; in the christmas tree cataract, it is linked to underlying conditions.
Immature Cataract (stage)
The lens in an immature cataract becomes partly cloudy; some light still passes. You notice mild to moderate blur, night glare, and frequent glasses changes. Monitoring and lifestyle tweaks can help for a time.
Mature Cataract (stage)
The lens becomes mostly or fully cloudy; vision is very poor. Daily tasks are hard or unsafe for a mature cataract patient. Surgery is usually recommended.
Hypermature Cataract (stage)
An over-ripe cataract that can leak or shrink, sometimes raising eye pressure or causing inflammation. Needs prompt surgery to protect the eye.
After-Cataract (PCO)
Not a natural cataract, this is a film that can form on the lens capsule after surgery. If vision blurs again months or years later, a quick YAG laser clears it in the clinic.
Conclusion
Understanding the types of cataract makes choices simpler. The common clinic patterns are nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular (PSC); causes can be age-related, traumatic, secondary (such as diabetes, steroids, or uveitis), congenital, or radiation-induced.
If your vision starts to limit your daily life, such as reading, using screens, or night driving, see your eye doctor to confirm the type and stage and plan the next steps.
FAQs
What are the 3 types of cataracts?
Nuclear Sclerotic, Cortical and Posterior Subcapsular are three main types of cataracts that are classified based on where and how they develop in the eye.
What are the 4 types of cataract lenses?
The 4 types of cataract lenses (IOLs) are monofocal, multifocal, toric, and EDOF (extended depth of focus).
What are the 4 types of senile cataract?
The four types of senile cataract are nuclear sclerotic, cortical, posterior subcapsular, and mixed cataract.
What are the four stages of cataracts?
The four stages of cataracts are early, immature, mature, and hypermature.
What are the different types of cataracts?
Different types of cataracts include age-related (senile), congenital (kids), traumatic, secondary (resulting from other eye conditions or medical treatments), and radiation-induced cataracts.
How do age-related cataracts differ from other types?
Age-related cataracts develop due to aging of the eye’s lens, whereas other types may result from factors like genetics, trauma, medication, or medical conditions.
Are there specific symptoms associated with each type of cataract?
Specific symptoms can vary by the type of cataract but commonly include blurred vision, glare sensitivity, and difficulty seeing in low light.
Can cataracts have different causes depending on the type?
Yes, cataracts can have different causes depending on the type, such as aging, trauma, medications, or underlying medical conditions.
Do certain types of cataracts progress more rapidly than others?
The rate of progression can vary among different types of cataracts, with some progressing more rapidly than others.
Are some types of cataracts more common in certain age groups or demographics?
Certain types of cataracts may be more common in specific age groups or demographics due to factors such as genetics, lifestyle, or environmental exposures.
