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Spontaneous Cataract Absorption

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Title: Spontaneous cataract absorption

Author(s): Chase Paulson MSIV UUSOM, Austin Nakatsuka MD, Lloyd Williams MD

Photographer: SR Rathinam, MD & Lloyd Williams, MD

Date: January 5, 2023

The first mention of the spontaneous absorption of cataracts by J. C. Saunder in 1811 was met with skepticism as this was in the pre-ophthalmoscopic period1. However, this phenomenon has since been supported by various others in the 20th century2-6. Cataract absorption has been described to occur in young dogs but is rare in humans.7 It is possible that this may occur more often in the pediatric population but cataracts are typically removed quickly in these patients to avoid amblyopia.

These unique cataracts are uncommon but can occur in the milieu of traumatic capsular tears8, congenital cataracts secondary to rubella2,5 and uveitis9. In 54 eyes of 41 patients with Leptospiral uveitic cataracts at Aravind Eye Hospital, spontaneous absorption occurred in 10 eyes between 6-18 months, while 12,035 non-Leptospiral, uveitic, non-traumatic control patients showed no spontaneous cataract absorption9. Absorption can take up to 22 years1.

Figure 1. A, B: Photographs of mature cataracts in both eyes on presentation. C: 2 months after presentation OD. D: 4 months later, cataract is nearly completely absorbed. Courtesy of SR Rathinam, MD.

*Figure 2. Photograph of a partially absorbed cataract.

 

 

*Figure 3. Photograph of the same patient (in Figure 2) 3 years later.

*Figure 4. Photograph of another patient with a partially absorbed cataract.

*Figure 5. Partially absorbed cataract.

*Courtesy of Lloyd Williams MD.

 References

  1. Marlow SB. Spontaneous absorption of cataract. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc. 1952;50:283-93. PMID: 13102562; PMCID: PMC1313176.
  2. Ehrlich LH. Spontaneous absorption abruption of congenital cataract following maternal rubella. Arch Ophthalmol. 1948;39(2):205–209.
  3. Holloway, T.B. and Cowan, A. Spontaneous complete absorption of a cataract lens. Arch Ophthalmol. 1932;7:332-335.
  4. Ferrer H. Spontaneous Resorption of Juvenile Cataract. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 1928;11(11):886-887.
  5. Smith GT, Shun-Shin GA, Bron AJ. Spontaneous reabsorption of a rubella cataract. British Journal of Ophthalmology 1990;74:564-565.
  6. Uemura A, Sameshima M, Nakao K. Complications of hypermature cataract: spontaneous absorption of lens material and phacolytic glaucoma-associated retinal perivasculitis. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 1988;32(1):35-40.
  7. Rubin LF, Gelatt, KN. Spontaneous resorption of the cataractous lens in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1968;152:139-153.
  8. Duke-Elder S. Diseases of the lens and vitreous. System of ophthalmology. 1969;11:(138):220–223.
  9. Rathinam SR, Namperumalsamy P, Cunningham ET Jr. Spontaneous cataract absorption in patients with leptospiral uveitis. Br J Ophthalmol. 2000;84(10):1135-41.

Faculty Approval by: Austin Nakatsuka MD

Copyright: Copyright Paulson, Nakatsuka, & Williams 2023. For further information regarding the rights to this collection, please visit: http://morancore.utah.edu/terms-of-use/

Identifier: Moran_CORE_126694