A cataract is a dense, cloudy area that forms in the lens of our eye. It develops slowly and eventually interferes with our vision. A person might end up with cataracts in both eyes, but they usually don’t form at the same time. Cataracts are common in older people.
A cataract begins when proteins in the eye form clumps that prevent the lens from sending clear images to the retina. The retina works by converting the light that comes through the lens into signals. It sends the signals to the optic nerve, which carries them to the brain.
As cataracts progress, the clumps of protein clouding your lens may turn yellow or brownish. This results in all the light coming into your eye having a yellow tint. It’s almost as though you are wearing “blue blocker” sunglasses, which block blue and violet light. This changes how a person see color and reduces one’s ability to tell the difference between colors.
While cataracts are commonly associated with advanced age, there are also types that are not related to aging. Cataract types are named based on their shape, cause, or age at development.
Types of cataracts
There are different types of cataracts. They’re classified based on where and how they develop in one’s eye for example:
Age-related cataracts
Cataract development is common as a person gets older due to changes in his/her eye lenses. While these changes start to develop around age 40, they’re most common after 60 years of age.
Certain lifestyle habits and underlying medical conditions may also contribute to age-related cataract development, for example:
- family history of cataracts,
- previous eye surgery,
- allopathic steroid medications for inflammatory conditions or autoimmune diseases,
- diabetes,
- smoking,
- alcoholism,
- access use (too much use of) of sunglasses.
Gradual changes to the vision and sensitivity to light are common with age-related cataracts. These include blurry vision, difficulty seeing bright colors, and problems seeing at night.
There are also three main types of age-related cataracts to consider: cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular. These are named based on their location on eye’s lens:
Cortical cataracts
Cortical cataracts are named for their wedge shapes. They also develop along the layer of our lens that surrounds the nucleus of our eye. 
Like all types of age-related cataracts, cortical cataracts can impact our vision, causing blurriness and problems seeing in different lighting.
With allopathic treatment cortical cataracts are removed by surgery in cases where our vision and daily activities are significantly impacted; However, with Homeopathy cortical cataracts could be treated with oral medication.
Polychromatic cataracts
Polychromatic cataracts are a subtype of cortical cataracts. These are also called Christmas tree 
cataracts due to the varying colors of needle-shaped crystals that develop in our eye’s cortex.
Unlike other types of age-related cataracts, polychromatic versions don’t usually cause problems with our vision. according to allopathic theory, they may not require treatment. Instead, allopathic doctors prefer to monitor patient’s condition for signs of progression.
On other side Homeopathy prefers to treat polychromatic cataract with oral medication.
Nuclear cataracts
Like cortical cataracts, nuclear cataracts affect the nucleus of eyes, and they are located in the center of lens. They’re the most common type of age-related cataract. 
Nuclear cataract symptoms are similar to other age-related cataracts, but they are also notable for causing nighttime glare. Over time, an ophthalmologist can detect changes in the color of the nucleus from clear to yellow or brown.
If not treating with Homeopathy the allopathic way is surgical treatment to prevent nuclear cataracts from progressing to glaucoma.
Posterior subcapsular cataracts
Posterior subcapsular cataracts (PSCs) develop at the back of the lens of the eyes. These also tend to develop in younger adults and progress quicker than other types of cataracts. 
It’s also thought that other factors may contribute to PSC development, including diabetes, long-term steroid use, and systemic inflammation.
Symptoms and development of PSC is often spontaneous in nature. Patient may experience blurry vision, and symptoms may also be more noticeable under bright light exposure.
Prompt identification and treatment especially Homeopathic of PSC is important to prevent the progression of this rapidly developing type of cataract. otherwise like other cataracts, this will involve surgery.
Posterior polar cataracts
Posterior polar cataracts (PPCs) are rare types of congenital cataracts. They’re inherited and even with Homeopathy are difficult to treat. 
Among some of the most notable symptoms of PPCs include problems with nearsightedness and farsightedness. These are severe enough to interfere with everyday life.
While allopathically the PPCs can only be treated with surgery, the location of the cataract makes it susceptible to complications, such as bursting. Homeopathic treatment is oral medication for few weeks (6-8 weeks).
Diabetic snowflake cataracts
Diabetic snowflake cataracts are subtypes of cortical, or PSC cataracts caused by diabetes. 
The “snowflake” refers to the small white dots that can form along the eye lens. Overall, this type of cataract is considered rare.
A diabetic snowflake cataract may cause blurry vision and other changes. Upon clinical examination, an ophthalmologist may see white spots along the lens of eyes – shaped like a snowflake.
If not treated with Homeopathy, the cataract may be removed with surgery and other eye problems may be treated by managing glucose levels in diabetes.
Congenital and pediatric cataracts
Congenital cataracts are those that are present at birth or develop at a very young age. These may be genetic, or can be the result of issues during pregnancy, such as rubella, or a serious illness after birth.
Children can also develop cataracts from radiation, injuries, and underlying health conditions. Regardless of the cause, congenital and pediatric cataracts are rare.
Not all cataracts in children cause symptoms. In fact, some cataracts may be so small that only an ophthalmologist can detect them.
Congenital and pediatric cataracts are curable with Homeopathic treatment, while with allopathic treatment if cataracts do cause vision problems in child, surgery is necessary to treat them and prevent further complications like lazy eye (amblyopia).
Secondary cataracts
Also called “after-cataract opacification,” these may develop from scar tissue after an initial cataract surgery. They’re considered common, affecting 2 in 5 people after surgery.
Other causes of secondary cataracts may include steroid use, smoking or alcohol use, as well as nutritional deficiencies.
Symptoms of secondary cataracts are similar to the original cataract. Patient may notice cloudy vision like before cataract surgery.
With allopathic treatment unlike other types of cataracts, surgery isn’t needed for secondary forms. Instead, a doctor will treat them with laser therapy. Normal vision is usually restored within a few days of laser treatment.
Radiation cataracts
As their name suggests, radiation cataracts are caused by radiation exposure. These may be caused by radiation treatment for cancer, as well as exposure to artificial ultraviolet radiation (natural UV are not responsible for cataracts).
Radiation cataracts may cause vision problems similar to those seen in other cataract subtypes. However, symptoms may not develop for several years after radiation exposure. High radiation exposure can cause symptoms within a few years, while low doses may not cause vision problems for up to decades after exposure.
In allopathy radiation cataracts, as with other types, can only be treated with surgery, while with Homeopathy it’s possible to treat radiation cataracts. 
Traumatic cataracts
Traumatic cataracts develop after a serious injury to your eye. The timeline of cataract development varies from immediately after the injury to several years later. It’s estimated that 65% of eye injuries lead to the development of cataracts at some point.
You may notice changes to your vision, as well as sensitivity to light. Depending on the severity, you might experience either short-term or long-term loss of vision.
Treatment for traumatic cataracts may involve surgical removal, as well as Homeopathic treatments to address the not only cataract but underlying injury too.
Anterior subcapsular cataracts
Unlike PSC, which develops at the back of the eye lens, anterior subcapsular cataracts (ASCs) develop at 
the front of lens. While there are different potential causes of their development, it’s thought that ASC may occur spontaneously or after a traumatic injury. Blurry vision and light sensitivities may develop with ASC.
Some allopathic studies have also found an association of ASC with certain medications, these include netarsudil for glaucoma and enfortumab vedotin for bladder cancer. However, more studies are needed to confirm such links. Surgery is considered for ASC when visual changes are severe enough to impact quality of life.
Homeopathic studies and treatments for ASC are far wide, old (more than 200 years) and having good results.