An elderly patient with a mature senile cataract shows liquefaction of the entire cortex, so that the brown nucleus settles inferiorly by gravity within the capsular bag. Which term describes this stage?
- A Sclerotic hypermature cataract
- B Morgagnian cataract ✓
- C Intumescent cataract
- D After-cataract
Correct answer: B. Morgagnian cataract
Explanation
In a Morgagnian cataract, continued hydration of a mature cataract liquefies the whole cortex; the free, shrunken, brown nucleus then sinks to the bottom of the capsular bag and moves with head position. In the sclerotic hypermature variant the nucleus instead becomes hard and shrunken with wrinkled capsule from dehydration. Intumescence describes a swollen hydrated lens that may precipitate phacomorphic glaucoma, and after-cataract refers to residual opacification following surgery.
Reference: Khurana, Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.