Oil droplet cataracts are a rare eye condition that can cause symptoms such as blurred vision or double vision. An oil droplet cataract can be difficult to diagnose, but tests such as slit lamp examination can help.
As oil droplet cataracts are rare and resemble retinal diseases, it can be challenging to reach an accurate diagnosis.
If you experience blurred vision or any other changes in your vision, it is essential to consult an eye doctor. They can order tests to help reach an accurate diagnosis.
Read on to learn more about oil droplet cataracts, including symptoms and causes, how doctors diagnose the condition, and treatment options.
An oil droplet cataract develops in the lens of the eye. It can cause symptoms such as:
- blurred vision
- double vision in one eye (monocular diplopia)
- triple vision in one eye (monocular triplopia)
- increased nearsightedness
A 2022 report notes that signs of oil droplet cataracts can be subtle, making diagnosis difficult.
Without proper treatment, an oil droplet cataract can
Galactosemia is a common cause of oil droplet cataracts.
Galactosemia is a rare genetic condition that affects how the body converts galactose into glucose. Symptoms usually appear within the first few weeks of life, and can include cataracts, as well as:
As oil droplet cataracts commonly develop due to galactosemia, a condition that manifests within the first few weeks of life, oil droplet cataracts may occur in infants and children.
Although less common, oil droplet cataracts may also develop in adults. This may happen idiopathically, where there is no apparent cause, or it can happen as a result of a metabolic disorder, or as a variant of nuclear cataract that resembles an oil droplet.
Slit lamp examination can help diagnose oil droplet cataracts. A slit lamp is a microscope that uses light to allow doctors to have a better look at the eye.
The eye doctor will look at the appearance of the eye for signs of an oil droplet cataract. They will also ask you questions about your symptoms to reach an accurate diagnosis.
The galactosemia test is part of newborn screenings in the United States. It involves taking a small blood sample from the heel. A positive galactosemia test can help confirm the cause of cataracts that are present at birth or develop soon after.
Surgical removal can cure oil droplet cataracts.
Cataract surgery involves removing the lens and replacing it with a clear one. A
Vision improved following a type of cataract surgery called phacoemulsification, which involves making a small cut at the edge of the cornea and using ultrasound to break the cataract down, which was followed by refractive correction and occlusion therapy.
If an oil droplet cataract develops due to galactosemia, it will also be necessary to treat galactosemia. Treatments typically involve:
- avoiding all milk and dairy products
- avoiding casein, curds, and whey during infancy
- talking calcium supplements
An oil droplet cataract is a rare condition that may present soon after birth as a result of the genetic condition galactosemia, though it can also develop in adulthood.
It can cause symptoms such as blurred vision, double vision or triple vision in one eye, and increased nearsightedness. Without proper treatment, it can lead to amblyopia.
Oil droplet cataracts can be difficult to diagnose as symptoms can occur with other conditions, but a slit lamp examination can help confirm the diagnosis. Surgical removal can cure the cataract. Treatment to directly address the underlying cause may also be necessary.