Cataract (Safed Motia) vs Glaucoma (Kala Motia): Key Differences, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Updated on: October 27, 2025
According to the WHO, at least 2.2 billion people globally have distant vision impairment. Among these, cataract affects nearly 94 million, whereas glaucoma accounts for 7.7 million cases. Cataract and glaucoma are the two most common eye diseases that cause vision loss or blindness, especially in the elderly. While both conditions affect eyesight, they differ significantly in their causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
In simple terms:
- Cataract (Safed Motia): An eye disease that causes reversible blindness. However, through timely surgery, this blindness can be restored.
- Glaucoma (Kala Motia): The blindness caused by glaucoma is irreversible, which implies that once the vision is lost, it cannot be regained by any means.
Let’s explore cataract and glaucoma and their early detection, prevention, and effective management.
What is Cataract (Safed Motia / Motiyabind)?
The pupil of a healthy eye is naturally greyish-black. When a
cataract develops, the
pupil appears greyish-white or pearly-white, which is why it’s commonly called Safed
Motia (white pearl).
A cataract generally occurs due to clouding of the eye’s natural lens, leading to
blurred,
hazy, or dim vision. This condition usually develops gradually with age, though certain
risk factors can accelerate it.
Common Causes of Cataract
- Ageing and degeneration of lens proteins
- Eye injuries or trauma
- Excessive exposure to UV rays from sunlight
- Smoking and poor lifestyle habits
- Long-term use of steroids (systemic or topical)
- Genetic predisposition (if parents or grandparents had early cataract)
- Diabetes mellitus
Common Symptoms of Cataract
- Blurred or cloudy vision
- Faded colours and glare sensitivity
- Double vision in one eye
- Difficulty in night driving
- Seeing multiple images or “multiple moons” at night (known as Polyopia)
Treatment of Cataract
Cataract is easily diagnosed through a simple eye examination and is completely curable with the help of cataract surgery. During the surgery, the cloudy lens is replaced by a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL), restoring normal vision.
What is Glaucoma (Kala Motia / Sabalbai)?
Glaucoma, also known as Kala Motia, is an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve, often due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eyes. The normal eye pressure falls between 10 and 20 mmHg. When it rises beyond this limit, it can damage the optic nerve, disrupting the transmission of visual signals to the brain. This rise in pressure causes a gradual loss of peripheral vision, leading to complete blindness if left untreated.
Risk Factors for Glaucoma
- People with a family history of glaucoma
- Long-term usage of steroids
- Lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension
- Age over 40 years
Symptoms of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight” because it usually develops without early warning signs.
- Open-angle glaucoma progresses slowly and painlessly
- Angle-closure glaucoma: causes sudden pain, nausea, blurred vision, and halos around lights, requiring emergency treatment
Treatment of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an irreversible disease; however, its progression can be slowed down through:
- Regular eye check-ups from a senior ophthalmologist are essential for monitoring and preventing further damage.
- Taking prescribed eye drops and oral medications regularly to reduce eye pressure
- Laser therapy or surgical procedures (trabeculectomy, drainage implants)
Cataract vs Glaucoma: Comparative Analysis
| S No. | Aspect | Cataract | Glaucoma |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Affected part | Clouding of the natural Lens | Damage to the optic nerve |
| 2 | Main Cause | Ageing, UV exposure, diabetes, and steroid use | Raised intraocular pressure, family history, and vascular issues |
| 3 | Symptoms | Blurred vision, faded colours, glare, night vision issues | Often symptomless until advanced; loss of peripheral vision, halos |
| 4 | Pain | Painless | Usually painless (open-angle); painful and red eye in acute angle-closure glaucoma |
| 5 | Vision loss | Central or generalised blur, reversible after surgery | Loss of peripheral vision, irreversible |
| 6 | Treatment | Cataract surgery to replace the lens | Medications, laser, or surgery to reduce eye pressure |
| 7 | Reversibility | Fully reversible | Not reversible; progression can only be slowed down if detected at an early stage |
Similarities Between Cataract and Glaucoma
- Both increase with age and can coexist in the same eye.
- People with diabetes are more prone to develop both.
- Regular eye check-ups are vital for early diagnosis and timely management.
If a cataract is left untreated, it may rupture inside the eye, causing a rise in eye pressure, a condition called Phacolytic Glaucoma, where a cataract leads to glaucoma.
Conclusion: Early Detection is the Key
In a nutshell:
- Cataract (Safed Motia) blurs your vision but is curable through surgery.
- Glaucoma (Kala Motia) silently damages the optic nerve and is not curable, but early intervention can prevent further vision loss.
Every adult above 40 years should undergo a comprehensive eye examination once a year to screen for cataract and glaucoma. Early diagnosis ensures timely treatment and protects against preventable blindness.
