Christmas Tree Cataract

Christmas tree cataract is a rare type of lens opacification which is usually age related, though several cases have been seen in patients with myotonic dystrophy. It consists of highly refractive multicolored needle-shaped opacities within the deep cortex of the lens (1). The exact mechanism of crystals is not exactly known, but different theories have been proposed. Shun-Shin et al. postulated that the crystals were most likely of cystine due to an age-related aberrant breakdown of lens induced by elevated Ca++ levels (1).  According to Anders and Wollensak, the crystals were cholesterol in nature and were the result of lens metabolism (2). A 64 years old female presented with reduced visual acuity in her right eye. Her best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in right eye was 6/10 Snellen chart. Slit lamp examination after pupillary dilatation revealed highly reflective, polychromatic, needle-shaped crystals in the temporal and inferior cortex of the right lens with associated nuclear sclerosis. This aspect of glittering multi-colored opacities varying with the angle of light incidence resembles the colored lights decorating the Christmas tree(Fig.1). As the visual acuity was significantly reduced and there were no other associated ocular pathologies, we decided for a cataract surgery in the right eye. Since the crystals are highly refringent and change considerably the viewing of the surgeon during the procedure, an increased time of surgery should be avoided (3) (4). Uneventful extracapsular phacoemusification of the lens with monofocal artificial intraocular lens implantation within the capsular bag was performed with very good results.