A Clinical Study to Evaluate the Refractive Errors Associated with Different Types of Cataract

- Refractive errors in different types of Cataract Introduction It's well-known that nuclear cataract causes myopic shift though the effect of cortical and posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataract on refractive error is vague. The intention of this study was to find out the effect of the different morphological types of age related cataract on refractive errors. Aim To determine the effect of the three main morphological types of cataract on the refractive status of the eye in Libyan patients Objectives assessment of the refractive status in three groups of patients each with only one of the main three types of age related cataract and the prevalence of refractive errors in a randomly selected group of individuals with no cataract. Material and methods fifty five patients attending the Eye Hospital- Benghazi and with only one type of cataract were included in the study, 58 subjects with no previous ocular disease and with no cataract were included as a control group. All patients had a refraction test to determine the refractive status of the eye and both spherical and astigmatic elements were noted. Conclusion about three quarters of patients with age related cataracts showed significant astigmatic refractive errors compared to 10% of the control group and nuclear cataracts showed myopic shift but only with astigmatic changes and cortical cataract was associated with astigmatic shift.