A paediatric examination under anaesthesia reveals the most common type of congenital cataract: a central disc of opacification surrounded by clear cortex, with riders present at the equator. Which statement about this cataract is correct?

• A It is always bilateral, total, and carries a poor visual prognosis
• B It is usually inherited as an X-linked recessive trait and always requires surgery in infancy
• C It is acquired from maternal rubella and never progresses
• D It is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and the visual prognosis is often good if central ✓

Explanation

Zonular (lamellar) cataract is the commonest congenital cataract, typically autosomal dominant, affecting one zone of the lens with intact cortex and equatorial riders. Because the periphery often stays clear and the opacity may spare the visual axis, many cases retain useful vision and do not automatically need infantile surgery, unlike a dense total cataract.

Reference: Khurana's Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.