Have you been wondering what a sunflower cataract is? Are you searching for its meaning and the associated causes? Let’s easily understand sunflower cataracts.
Sunflower Cataract
Sunflower cataract is the secondary cause of Wilson’s disease. Generally, when defined, a sunflower cataract is called out as pathognomonic for Wilson’s disease. It has been considered the second most ophthalmic sign of Wilson disease.
The sunflower cataract in Wilson’s disease A sunflower cataract contains centralized specification and thin size, this is direct to the anterior capsule area and strongly surrounds one-half and one-third of the anterior lens surface.
Causes of sunflower cataracts There are several major and minor reasons mentioned that result in the causes of sunflower cataracts. These causes can be increased urinary exception of copper, serum ceruloplasmin, increased concentration of copper in the liver and low copper lower. Also, these themselves occur due to doubly heterozygous mutation or homozygous.

When To See a Doctor
The best time to get in touch with the doctor, a cataract specialist, is when the person starts to experience any physical symptoms of a sunflower cataract.
This is with the feeling of blurry vision or other vision difficulties seen by the person or simply the eyes start to look like a sunflower. This is due to excessive copper present in the body and needs immediate treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What Causes Sunflower Cataracts?
It is discovered that sunburst or commonly known as sunflower cataract is majorly caused due to Wilson’s disease which is the result of copper deposition in the lens. This type of disease is known to be rare yet essential to understand.
Q. What is a Sunflower Cataract?
A sunflower cataract is the known result of the excessive copper content in the eyes and also the ultimate result of Wilson’s disease. It is present in the eyes and is of yellowish brown colour.
Q. Why Does Wilson’s Disease Cause Sunflower cataracts?
The major reason behind the occurrence of sunflower cataracts is simply the excessive presence of copper content in the body. Thus, this is the main cause of sunflower cataracts in Wilson’s disease.
Q. What does a sunflower cataract look like?
A Sunflower can be described as brown and yellowish-coloured opacities, which reside in the subcapsular cortex of the given lens and within the capillary zone when the petal-like spokes eventually extend toward the equator. Thus, this is the imaginary or physical description of the sunflower cataract.
Q. What does it mean if your eyes look like sunflowers?
When your eyes have excessive copper content, this can lead to sunflower cataracts and the eyes can show a physical presence of sunflower in the eyes. Thus, in such a case, immediately reaching out to a cataract surgeon is the ideal choice. The doctor will further make a proper diagnosis, and examined and treat the condition.
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