An incipient cataract is defined as affecting what percentage of lens volume?

An incipient cataract is defined as affecting what percentage of lens volume?

• A. Less than 15%
• B. 15–30%
• C. More than 50%
• D. 100%

Answer: (A)

Grading cataracts by how much of the lens is involved helps distinguish early from more advanced stages. An incipient cataract is the earliest detectable stage, with only a small portion of the lens becoming opaque. Conventionally, this corresponds to less than about 15% of the lens volume. At this level the opacity is minimal and vision is often only mildly affected, if at all, and the opacities may be confined to a small area. As the opacity expands beyond roughly 15%, the condition progresses to early immature stages, and larger involvement (such as 50% or more) marks more advanced disease like mature cataract, which markedly impairs vision. So the defining mark for incipient is a very small fraction of lens volume, specifically under 15%.

Grading cataracts by how much of the lens is involved helps distinguish early from more advanced stages. An incipient cataract is the earliest detectable stage, with only a small portion of the lens becoming opaque. Conventionally, this corresponds to less than about 15% of the lens volume. At this level the opacity is minimal and vision is often only mildly affected, if at all, and the opacities may be confined to a small area. As the opacity expands beyond roughly 15%, the condition progresses to early immature stages, and larger involvement (such as 50% or more) marks more advanced disease like mature cataract, which markedly impairs vision. So the defining mark for incipient is a very small fraction of lens volume, specifically under 15%.