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Living with Cataract 18

An eye condition in which the lens becomes cloudy, starting at birth or soon after.

Understanding Cataract 18

Cataract 18 is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy.

The cloudiness can begin at birth or shortly afterward. The condition used to be called cataract, autosomal recessive congenital 2.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet. Its summary says the lens of the eye becomes cloudy.

  • Cloudy lens of the eye (cataract)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Can FYCO1 genetic testing confirm the diagnosis?
When might cataract surgery be needed?
Should brothers and sisters have eye exams?

Quick facts

InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

Researchers have found that changes in the FYCO1 gene can cause this type of cataract. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive way, so a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

Also known as: autosomal recessive congenital cataract 2; cataract (disease) caused by mutation in fyco1; cataract 18 autosomal recessive; cataract 18, autosomal recessive; cataract type 18; catc2

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Cataract 18GARD ID 9892 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Cataract 18.

Explore the Cataract 18 blog

Explore research for Cataract 18

Explore actively recruiting Cataract 18 studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Cataract 18 with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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