Brown Cataract: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Brown cataract is a dense, deeply pigmented type of cataract. Let us learn about its causes, brown cataract symptoms, diagnosis methods, and treatment options. 

What is a Brown Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. Medically speaking, a brown cataract is a mature cataract characterised by a dark brown or amber-coloured centre in the lens of the eye. It belongs to the nuclear cataract type and typically develops over many years. 

The brown cataract condition leads to progressive loss of vision. Think about it: dense pigmentation absorbs more light, and so it lowers the amount of light that could potentially reach the retina. 

Unlike typical cataracts, a brown cataract alters colour perception and contrast. So, basically, whites appear yellow. Overall vision too darkens. Brown cataracts may cause blurred vision or double vision in one eye, especially under bright light situations. 

Brown cataracts often occur in older adults. Though long-term exposure to UV rays or trauma can speed up formation, too. 

Causes of Brown Cataracts

The primary cause of brown cataracts is ageing. As the years go by, proteins in the eye’s lens break down and clump together. This creates cloudiness and eventually pigments the lens brown. 

Long exposure to sunlight, especially without UV protection, also increases the risk of brown cataract formation. Smoking and chronic diseases such as diabetes are other common triggers that you should be mindful of. 

Eye trauma, whether caused by injury or prior surgery, can also accelerate lens hardening. 

A poor diet and a lack of antioxidants also play a smaller but still significant role in causing brown cataracts. 

Though brown cataracts often develop slowly, quick identification of the reasons behind them makes early prevention efforts very important. 

If you are able to recognise the causes of brown cataracts early it can help delay progression. Simple lifestyle changes like protective eyewear and healthy food choices can be of a big help.

Brown Cataract Symptoms

Brown cataract symptoms usually start subtly. 

Firstly, vision becomes increasingly blurred, particularly in dim light environments. 

Secondly, colours lose their brightness. As mentioned earlier, whites may appear cream or yellow. A key sign is difficulty with glare. This also means that patients often find night driving uncomfortable. 

Thirdly, double vision in one eye is also common. 

As the cataract matures, contrast sensitivity drops. In essence, this means how well you can see objects when they don’t stand out strongly against their background. Some describe the change as looking through a sepia filter. 

Reading small print or recognising faces becomes hard. Symptoms may not improve with updated glasses or contact lenses. People may notice they require stronger lighting to see clearly. 

If you experience sudden changes or progressive dimming, it could be a brown cataract and not just natural ageing. 

How is Brown Cataract Diagnosed?

An ophthalmologist diagnoses a brown cataract through a detailed eye exam. 

A slit-lamp microscope allows the doctor to examine the lens and detect any brown or amber pigmentation. The cataract’s density and location help assess the maturity. 

Visual acuity tests tell doctors how much vision has been affected. 

Glare testing and contrast sensitivity evaluation provide further clues. Sometimes, retinal imaging is used to ensure no underlying problems exist beyond the cataract. 

If brown cataracts are diagnosed early, the treatment is generally straightforward. Because brown cataracts are denser than others, doctors also evaluate how surgery might be planned differently. 

Treatment of Brown Cataracts

Brown cataract treatment always involves surgery. 

Once the lens darkens significantly, no eye drop or medicine can reverse the condition. So, yes, the cataract must be surgically removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL). 

Brown cataract surgery can be more technically challenging than for other types of cataract because the lens is denser. Extra care is taken during phacoemulsification, which is the process that uses ultrasonic waves to break up the lens. 

The good news is that the recovery is usually smooth, though a mature cataract like this may slightly increase the risk of complications. Most people regain excellent vision after treatment. 

Early intervention leads to better outcomes. If brown cataract is diagnosed, don’t delay treatment. Blurred vision, double vision, and poor night vision are strong indicators. Visit Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital today.

Can Brown Cataracts Be Prevented?

Brown cataracts cannot be entirely prevented, but their onset can be delayed. 

Wearing sunglasses with UV protection can cut down sun-related lens damage. 

Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake also helps. 

Managing diabetes, particularly blood sugar levels, lowers your risk. 

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants does support eye health. 

Some evidence suggests reducing screen time or taking breaks can reduce oxidative stress, although it’s not a primary cause. 

Using contact lenses properly and not overwearing them may prevent other lens-related issues, but won’t stop a brown cataract from forming. 

Regular eye exams after age 50 are key to early detection. 

Conclusion

A brown cataract doesn’t develop overnight. It’s a gradual change, but its impact is profound. 

When left untreated, it darkens your world not just visually but emotionally. Blurred vision becomes a daily nuisance. Colour fades. Contrast drops. Yet, there’s hope. 

Brown cataract surgery is a safe and widely available procedure. Knowing what is meant by brown cataract, how it develops, and what signs to watch out for can lead to faster treatment and better results. 

If your glasses aren’t helping, and lights seem too bright or too dim, get your eyes examined by a trusted ophthalmologist.