There are three major kinds of cataracts: nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular. Doctors group them by where the cloudy patch forms inside your eye’s lens.
Each type affects your sight slightly differently, and each can grow at a different rate. This guide explains all three in plain English. You will learn what each type does to your vision, who is most at risk, and when it is time to see an eye specialist.
Key Takeaways
- The three major types of cataracts are nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular.
- Doctors name each type after the part of the lens where it forms.
- Nuclear cataracts are the most common. They grow slowly, often over many years.
- Posterior subcapsular cataracts grow the fastest. They can first affect your near and night vision.
- Cortical cataracts occur at the edge of the lens and cause glare and halos.
- Surgery is the sole alternative to treat a cataract that affects your daily life.
- A simple eye test can confirm which type you have and how far it has progressed.
The 3 Main Types of Cataracts at a Glance
Here is a quick look at the three main types, side by side. Each one forms in a different part of the lens, with its own signs and speed.
| Type | Where it forms | How fast it grows | Common signs | Higher risk if you |
| Nuclear (nuclear sclerotic) | Centre of the lens (the nucleus) | Slowly, over years | Blurry distance vision, faded or yellow colours, a short spell of better near vision (called ‘second sight’) | are older, or you smoke |
| Cortical | Outer edge of the lens (the cortex), in a spoke shape | Varies, sometimes quicker | Glare, halos around lights, poor depth and contrast, hard to drive at night | Have diabetes, or lots of sun exposure |
| Posterior subcapsular | Back of the lens, under the capsule | Fast, often over months | Hard to read up close, strong glare and halos at night, trouble in bright light | Have diabetes, take steroids, or are very short-sighted. |
Nuclear Cataract
A nuclear cataract develops in the centre of your lens, called the nucleus. ‘Sclerotic’ means the lens hardens. This is the most common type, and it is closely linked to age.
It grows slowly, often over many years. As it grows, your distance vision turns blurry and colours look faded or yellow. Some people get a short spell of better near vision first, called ‘second sight’, but this soon fades.
You are more at risk of a nuclear cataract if you are older or you smoke.
Signs to watch for nuclear cataract:
- Blurry vision in the distance
- Colours that look faded or yellow
- A short spell of better near vision, then a decline
Cortical Cataract
A cortical cataract develops at the outer edge of your lens, called the cortex. It forms white wedge shapes, like the spokes of a wheel, that reach in towards the centre.
These spokes scatter the light that enters your eye. So you may notice glare, halos around lights, and poor contrast. It can feel harder to drive at night. This type can grow at a steady pace, sometimes more quickly than a nuclear cataract.
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Diabetes and a lot of sun exposure can raise your risk.
Signs to watch for cortical cataract:
- Glare and halos around lights
- Poor depth and contrast
- Trouble when you drive at night
Posterior Subcapsular Cataract
A posterior subcapsular cataract forms at the back of your lens, just under the thin capsule that holds it in place. It sits right in the path of light, so even a small one can cause clear symptoms.
This is the fastest of the three types. It can affect your sight within months. It often hits your near vision and night vision first, with strong glare and halos in bright light.
You are more at risk if you have diabetes, take steroids, or are very short-sighted. It can affect younger people too.
Signs to watch for posterior subcapsular cataract:
- Hard to read up close
- Strong glare and halos at night
- Trouble in bright light
Are There Other Types of Cataracts?
Age is the main cause, but not the only one. There are a few other types of cataracts:
- Congenital cataract: develops at birth or in early childhood.
- Traumatic cataract: caused by eye injury.
- Secondary cataract: linked to another eye problem, or to steroids and diabetes.
These types are less common. The good news is that the same surgery treats them.
How Do Eye Doctors Find Out Which Type You Have?
An optician or eye doctor can check your eyes with a special microscope called a slit lamp. They look at where the cloudiness sits and how dense it is.
From this, they can tell you the type of cataract, its stage, and whether you need surgery yet. If you do, your optician can refer you on for treatment.
How Are the Different Types of Cataracts Treated?
All three types are treated the same way. A surgeon removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens. The operation is quick, safe and very common.
In the early stages, stronger glasses or brighter light can help for a while. But surgery is the only proven fix once a cataract affects your daily life.
You also have a choice of lens. A standard lens focuses at one distance. Premium lenses, like multifocal or toric lenses, can correct multiple distances and reduce your need for glasses.
Conclusion
The three types of cataracts are nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular. Each one forms in a different part of the lens, and each affects your sight in its own way. The signs can be subtle at first, so regular eye tests matter.
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When a cataract starts to affect your daily life, surgery is the safe and proven fix. An eye specialist can confirm which type you have and talk you through the lens options that suit your eyes. If you have noticed changes to your vision, the team at Dr Tanov Eye and Aesthetics can help. You can arrange cataract surgery in Newcastle or cataract surgery in London with a consultant-led eye care team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 3 types of cataracts?
The three major types are nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular cataracts. Doctors name each one after the part of the lens where the cloudiness forms. All three are age-related cataracts.
Which type of cataract is the most common?
Nuclear cataracts are the most common type. They form in the centre of the lens and are closely linked to age. Most people who get cataracts have this kind.
Which type of cataract grows the fastest?
The fastest-growing cataracts are posterior subcapsular. Your vision may be impacted in a few months, and occasionally even more quickly. Typically, the other two kinds require years.
Can you have more than one type of cataract at the same time?
Yes. It is common to have cloudiness in more than one part of the lens. Doctors call this a mixed cataract. A simple eye test can tell you which types are present.
What is a posterior subcapsular cataract?
It is a cataract that develops beneath a thin layer known as the capsule at the rear of the lens. It frequently results in glare or halos at night and impairs close-up vision. Those who use steroids or have diabetes are more likely to experience it.
Are all three types of cataracts treated the same way?
Yes. The surgery is the same for each type. The cloudy lens is removed and swapped for a clear artificial lens. The main difference is the kind of lens that suits your eyes and your lifestyle.
What happens if a cataract is left untreated?
A cataract will slowly get worse and can lead to sight loss. If you wait too long, the surgery can also become harder. That is why an early eye test is so useful.
