LENTICULAR CATARACT Meaning and
Definition
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Lenticular cataract refers to a specific type of cataract that affects the eye's lens, leading to vision impairment. A cataract is characterized by the clouding or opacity of the lens, which is responsible for focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye, thus enabling clear vision. In the case of a lenticular cataract, the clouding primarily occurs within the lens itself.
This type of cataract is often associated with age-related changes in the lens structure, resulting in the accumulation of proteins and degradation of lens fibers. As these changes progress, they hinder the passage of light, leading to a blurred or distorted vision. Lenticular cataracts tend to develop gradually over time.
In addition to age, other factors contribute to the development of lenticular cataracts, such as genetic predisposition, certain medical conditions (like diabetes), trauma to the eye, or prior eye surgeries. Symptoms of lenticular cataracts may include gradual vision loss, decreased visual acuity, increased sensitivity to glare, changes in color perception, impaired night vision, and a need for brighter illumination to see clearly.
Treatment for lenticular cataracts typically involves surgery to remove the clouded lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). This procedure is known as cataract extraction or phacoemulsification. It is a safe and effective surgery that can significantly improve a person's visual acuity and quality of life.
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One in which the opacity is confined to the substance of the lens, phacoscotasmus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LENTICULAR CATARACT
- kenticular cataract
- penticular cataract
- oenticular cataract
- lwnticular cataract
- lsnticular cataract
- ldnticular cataract
- lrnticular cataract
- l4nticular cataract
- l3nticular cataract
- lebticular cataract
- lemticular cataract
- lejticular cataract
- lehticular cataract
- lenricular cataract
- lenficular cataract
- lengicular cataract
- lenyicular cataract
- len6icular cataract
- len5icular cataract
- lentucular cataract
Etymology of LENTICULAR CATARACT
The word "lenticular cataract" can be broken down into two parts: "lenticular" and "cataract".
The term "lenticular" comes from the Latin word "lenticula", which means "lens". It is derived from "lens" which denotes a transparent, convex-shaped structure in the eye that helps focus light onto the retina.
The word "cataract" originated from the Latin word "cataracta", but its ultimate origin is Greek. The Greek word "katarráktēs" means "waterfall" or "rushing down". The term "cataract" was first used to describe an abnormality in the eye where the lens becomes opaque, leading to a visual impairment resembling a waterfall-like effect.
