Question
Is there anything like low grade cataracts and high-grade cataracts depending on the extent of opacity. Please explain. Also, what are mixed cataracts? Are they common in cataract persons?
Answer
Hello Devi,
There are many kinds of cataracts based on the location, character, and density of the opacity. No matter what type or location, you basically wait until the patient complains enough and the opacity is visually limiting enough to warrant the risk of surgery. The usual types are 'cortical' where the outer portion of the lens is cloudy, or 'nuclear' where the center part is cloudy. There are others like 'posterior subcapsular' where the back surface is like ground glass. They can be graded for severity too like mild, moderate, significant. But the old joke is that the surgeon claims there are only two kinds of cataract: "the ones I leave in and the ones I take out." You can look up online or in a medical dictionary the many kinds and descriptions of cataract if you want to. Usually the typical cataract due to age is a 'mixed' variety.
Hope that helps,
Mitch Axelrod, OD
