A 28-year-old man with tremor and Kayser-Fleischer rings undergoes slit-lamp examination. Fine golden-brown dust-like opacities are seen deposited in a radial pattern beneath the anterior and posterior lens capsule. What is this cataract called?
- A Christmas tree cataract
- B Sunflower cataract ✓
- C Blue dot cataract
- D Snowflake cataract
Correct answer: B. Sunflower cataract
Explanation
The sunflower cataract of Wilson disease results from deposition of copper granules in the lens capsule and subcapsular zone, arranged like the petals of a sunflower centred on the pupil. It also occurs in ocular chalcosis from an intraocular copper foreign body. The Christmas tree cataract contains polychromatic crystals and is linked to myotonic dystrophy, while snowflake opacities are the cortical changes of diabetes.
Reference: Parsons, Diseases of the Eye, 23rd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.