A 14-year-old boy with Kayser-Fleischer rings and cirrhosis is examined at the slit lamp. The lens shows a central disc of fine copper-coloured dust-like deposits beneath the capsule in the posterior cortex. Which type of cataract is described?
- A Oil droplet cataract
- B Christmas tree cataract
- C Sunflower cataract ✓
- D Snowflake cataract
Correct answer: C. Sunflower cataract
Explanation
Copper deposition in the posterior lens capsule and cortex in hepatolenticular degeneration produces a greenish-brown disc resembling a sunflower, classically with petal-like radial extensions. Vision is usually unaffected despite the striking appearance. The Christmas tree cataract is seen in myotonic dystrophy, the oil droplet cataract in classical galactosaemia, and snowflake cataracts in diabetes mellitus. The association with Kayser-Fleischer rings makes Wilson disease the only consistent diagnosis here.
Reference: Khurana, Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.