Morgagnian cataract is defined by which description?

Morgagnian cataract is defined by which description?

• A. Mature cataract with total opacification
• B. Wrinkling of the anterior capsule
• C. Liquified cortex with a solid nucleus that sinks to the bottom
• D. Calcification of the lens capsule

Answer: (C)

Morgagnian cataract is a hypermature cataract where the cortical material has completely liquefied while the nucleus remains dense and solid. This liquefied cortex forms a milky fluid inside the capsule, and the dense nucleus sinks to the bottom under gravity. That sinking nucleus within a fluid cortex is the hallmark feature, differentiating it from other cataract stages where the cortex isn’t liquefied or the nucleus doesn’t settle. Clinically, this can be accompanied by a shallow anterior chamber and a risk of phacolytic glaucoma from leakage of the liquefied cortex.

Morgagnian cataract is a hypermature cataract where the cortical material has completely liquefied while the nucleus remains dense and solid. This liquefied cortex forms a milky fluid inside the capsule, and the dense nucleus sinks to the bottom under gravity. That sinking nucleus within a fluid cortex is the hallmark feature, differentiating it from other cataract stages where the cortex isn’t liquefied or the nucleus doesn’t settle. Clinically, this can be accompanied by a shallow anterior chamber and a risk of phacolytic glaucoma from leakage of the liquefied cortex.