A Christmas tree cataract describes a cataract with a polychromatic iridescent crystalline appearance Nuclear sclerotic changes also are evident in this patient. Patients who have myotonic dystrophy can have Christmas tree cataracts.
Cataracts are most commonly associated with aging, but other risk factors include UV-B radiation, smoking, medications (particularly steroids), and trauma. Other causes for cataracts are intraocular surgery, ocular inflammation, other eye diseases and systemic diseases, such as diabetes or neurofibromatosis.
Los Alamos Family Eyecare, P.C. 