Christmas tree cataract: A rare association with gout!

The association between gout and ocular changes has been noted in literature, with evidence suggesting the presence of gout tophi and uric acid crystals in ocular tissue, including the ocular surface and macula. A rare manifestation is the appearance of polychromatic, shining, multi-coloured crystals in the lens nucleus resembling Christmas tree ornaments, known as Christmas tree cataract. While ocular tissue involvement in gout is recognized, this specific association has not been previously documented. This report presents two such cases: a 74-year-old female with a Christmas tree cataract in the right eye and a history of gout, and a 54-year-old male with similar findings in the left eye who was later diagnosed with gout. The report highlights this unique presentation, suggesting that uric acid crystal-induced cataract resembling a Christmas tree may be a possible, though rare, manifestation of gout supported by existing literature.

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Publication Details

Journal
Global Journal of Cataract Surgery and Research in Ophthalmology
Published
2025-05-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25259/gjcsro_5_2025
Primary Topic
Gout, Hyperuricemia, Uric Acid
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Christmas tree cataract: A rare association with gout!

Swati Vijay Zawar, Anuja Vijay Zawar, Shubhangi Prashant Sathe
Global Journal of Cataract Surgery and Research in Ophthalmology
Gout, Hyperuricemia, Uric Acid
article

Christmas tree cataract: A rare association with gout!

Swati Vijay Zawar, Anuja Vijay Zawar, Shubhangi Prashant Sathe
article en

Abstract

The association between gout and ocular changes has been noted in literature, with evidence suggesting the presence of gout tophi and uric acid crystals in ocular tissue, including the ocular surface and macula. A rare manifestation is the appearance of polychromatic, shining, multi-coloured crystals in the lens nucleus resembling Christmas tree ornaments, known as Christmas tree cataract. While ocular tissue involvement in gout is recognized, this specific association has not been previously documented. This report presents two such cases: a 74-year-old female with a Christmas tree cataract in the right eye and a history of gout, and a 54-year-old male with similar findings in the left eye who was later diagnosed with gout. The report highlights this unique presentation, suggesting that uric acid crystal-induced cataract resembling a Christmas tree may be a possible, though rare, manifestation of gout supported by existing literature.

Global Journal of Cataract Surgery and Research in OphthalmologyVol. 4
Medical University of Lodz (PL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 89%
Gout, Hyperuricemia, Uric Acid
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