Christmas Tree Cataract - A Cataract that Glitters

A 54-year-old man presented to the Ophthalmology OPD with redness and discharge from his eyes. His vision was 20/20 in both the eyes. There was diffuse conjunctival congestion and mild discharge in both the eyes. On detailed examination, the left eye showed highly refractive, multi-coloured, iridescent crystals in the inferior cortex and nucleus of the crystalline lens. The colours changed with the change in the angle of the incident light. It was a spectacular display of different colours that glittered like an illuminated Christmas tree [Table/Fig-1,2]. The crystals cast thin and hairy shadows in retro-illumination ([Table/Fig-3] white arrows). There was an associated early cuneiform cataract inferiorly ([Table/Fig-3], blue arrows). A diagnosis of acute conjunctivitis in both eyes with a Christmas tree cataract (CTC) and early cuneiform cataract in the left eye was made. He was treated for the acute conjunctivitis with moxifloxacin 5% eyedrops (Vigamox, Alcon Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Texus), 4 times a day for 1 week. The conjunctivitis got cured by 1 week. No treatment was required for the cataract since it was visually non-disturbing. Serum cholesterol, calcium, lipid profile and electromyogram were found to be within normal limits. Neurological consultation ruled out Myotonic dystrophy.

[Table/Fig-1]:

Anterior segment photograph of left eye (by slit lamp) showing highly refractive, multi-coloured, iridescent crystals in the inferior cortex and nucleus of the crystalline lens.

[Table/Fig-2]:

Anterior segment photograph (Magnified view, by slit lamp) of left eye showing the highly refractive, multi-coloured, iridescent crystals in the inferior cortex and nucleus of the crystalline lens.

[Table/Fig-3]:

Anterior segment photograph of left eye in retro-illumination showing the crystals casting thin and hairy shadows (white arrows) and associated early cuneiform cataract inferiorly (blue arrows).

CTC is a rare type of cataract. It varies from other cataracts that show some amount of different colours of the crystalline lens, like the posterior subcapsular cataract or the complicated cataract, in that it shows a spectacular display of multiple colours that glitters with the change of incident light like an illuminated Christmas tree. The exact cause for the mechanism of formation of CTC is not very clear. Different researchers have postulated different mechanisms for its formation. Pau and Forster were the first ones to suggest that the opacities seen in CTC were cholesterol crystals [1]. Hayes and Fisher subsequently postulated the diffraction of light from parallel sided stacks of fused cell membranes to be the cause for the striking polychromatic lustre [2]. As per Anders and Wollensak, the crystals were cholesterol in nature and were the result of lens metabolism [3]. According to Shun-Shin et al., CTC needles were most likely made of cystine due to an age-related aberrant breakdown of crystallins induced by elevated Ca++ levels [4]. Similarly, Obi and Weir postulated that CTCs resulted from the accelerated breakdown of membrane associated proteins and that excess cystine concentration lead to growing crystals [5]. Reiter and Gramer found Myotonic Dystrophy in 16.7% of patients with CTC [6].

Few other authors have also reported CTC but they have not postulated any cause for its formation. They have simply described their cases [7–9].

[Table/Fig-4] shows all the case reports on CTC so far from different parts of the world.

To conclude, CTC is a rare cataract that may be found incidentally since it is visually non-disturbing, as is in our case. Its spectacular display of brilliance is very striking and evokes a ‘wow’ feeling in the person observing it. It is a wonder, how an illuminated Christmas tree like glittering can be found in the human body. This type of cataract is aptly called as the “Christmas tree cataract”.

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