The term "black cataract" refers to a type of cataract in the eye that appears as a dark mass. The spelling of this term can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable, "black," is pronounced with a voiced bilabial stop /b/ followed by a lax vowel /æ/. The second syllable, "cataract," begins with an unvoiced velar stop /k/ and is followed by a long vowel /eɪ/ and a fricative /t/. The term is often considered outdated and is now replaced with the term "mature cataract."
Black cataract is a medical term used to describe a specific type of dense opacity that can develop in the lens of the eye, resulting in impaired vision or blindness. More formally known as mature or hypermature cataract, this condition is characterized by the dark or black appearance of the cataract, which is caused by the degeneration and disintegration of lens proteins.
A cataract refers to any clouding or opacification of the normally clear lens of the eye, which can cause blurry vision and visual disturbances. In the case of a black cataract, the lens proteins undergo advanced stages of denaturation, leading to a more solid and opaque lens. This opacity obstructs the passage of light through the eye, preventing clear vision.
The term "black cataract" primarily differentiates this stage of cataract development from less advanced forms, such as incipient cataracts (where the opacity is just beginning) or immature cataracts (where the opacity is not as pronounced). It is worth noting that the term "black cataract" is more commonly used in historical literature or older medical texts, as modern medical terminology typically refers to cataracts in terms of their degree of advancement and location, rather than their color.
The treatment for a black cataract typically involves surgical intervention, where the clouded lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. This procedure, known as cataract surgery, can help restore clear vision and improve the patient's quality of life.
One in which the lens is hardened and of a dark brown color.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "black cataract" does not have an etymology, as it is a combination of two separate words, "black" and "cataract", with each word having its own origin.
1. Black:
The word "black" has its roots in Old English "blæc" and Middle English "blak". It can be traced back to Proto-Germanic "blēkaz" and Proto-Indo-European "*bhleg-" meaning "burn" or "shining". Over time, it evolved to specifically refer to the color "black".
2. Cataract:
The term "cataract" comes from the Latin word "cataracta", derived from the Greek word "katarráktēs". It originally referred to a waterfall or a rushing down of water.