Cataract surgery is suitable for cortical cataracts when their spoke‑like opacities cause troublesome glare, ghosting, or contrast loss.
Typical effects of cortical changes
These cataracts start in the outer lens and can extend inward.
- Glare and starburst patterns, especially at night or in bright sun
- Ghost images or streaks radiating from lights
- More difficulty in low‑contrast or back‑lit situations than in clear daylight
- Symptoms that may fluctuate as pupils change size
- Characteristic wedge‑ or spoke‑shaped opacities seen on examination
Decision‑making for surgery
As with other types, functional impact guides timing.
- Problems with driving, reading, or work despite appropriate glasses
- Increasing bother from glare that is not helped by sunglasses alone
- Evidence that the cortical changes are progressing across visits
- Expectation of significant improvement from removing the cloudy lens
- Consideration of lens choice to support your visual priorities
