Discrete nuclear sclerosis in young patients with myopia
B. J. Kaufman and J. Sugar
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois, Chicago Eye Center, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To review a series of young patients with myopia who had a
visually disabling cataract. DESIGN: A retrospective review of 12
consecutive patients who had a visually disabling cataract and who were
examined at the Cornea Service of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 44 years (range, 34-54 years).
The mean best-corrected visual acuity of the patients was 20/50, and the
ocular history of the patients included a progressive decrease in vision.
Six patients experienced disabling monocular polyopia. Their presumed
diagnoses ranged from keratoconus to myopic degeneration. All of the
patients noted resolution of their symptoms after cataract extraction.
CONCLUSIONS: These patients are a select group that tends not to follow the
established associations between visually significant lens opacities, age,
and myopia. Cataract extraction is therapeutic, and prompt diagnosis can
obviate unnecessary testing and repeated office visits.
