Unit 6: Differential Diagnosis of Blurred Vision

Rare
May be detected as a loss of red reflex in newborn infants or as reduced visual acuity at school vision check
A third are inherited (autosomal dominant)
A third are caused by birth trauma, maternal infection during pregnancy (rubella and toxoplasmosis)

Systemic disorders, e.g. diabetes
Trauma

Trauma

This is a traumatic rosette cataract seen in retro illumination (against the fundal red reflex) on the slit lamp. The leaf like "rosette" pattern is pathognomonic of a traumatic cataract and the clear zone outside the affected lens lamellae indicate that the trauma occurred several years before as clear lens fibres have been laid down in the periphery subsequently.
Corticosteroids, e.g. tablets or eye drops
Ocular disorders, e.g. uveitis

Eye with cataract

Source: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Cataract