A cataract is defined as which of the following?

A cataract is defined as which of the following?

• A. Opacification Of The Crystalline Lens.
• B. Opacification Of The Cornea.
• C. Opacification Of The Retina.
• D. Opacification Of The Vitreous.

Answer: (A)

Cataract is defined by clouding of the lens itself—the crystalline lens behind the pupil. This opacification scatters and blocks light as it passes through the lens, reducing the amount and quality of light reaching the retina and leading to blurred vision, glare, and dull colors. It commonly develops with aging as lens proteins degrade, but can also result from trauma, systemic diseases, medications, or radiation. Because the problem lies in the lens, other parts of the eye like the cornea, retina, or vitreous would cause different types of opacities or vision changes if they were involved. So the hallmark feature is the opacification of the crystalline lens.

Cataract is defined by clouding of the lens itself—the crystalline lens behind the pupil. This opacification scatters and blocks light as it passes through the lens, reducing the amount and quality of light reaching the retina and leading to blurred vision, glare, and dull colors. It commonly develops with aging as lens proteins degrade, but can also result from trauma, systemic diseases, medications, or radiation. Because the problem lies in the lens, other parts of the eye like the cornea, retina, or vitreous would cause different types of opacities or vision changes if they were involved. So the hallmark feature is the opacification of the crystalline lens.