What causes cataracts?

Often cataracts are a part of the aging process of the eye. It has been estimated that 80% of people over the age of 60 will develop some degree of cataract. Less commonly, cataracts may develop due to eye injuries or other diseases such as diabetes or inflammatory conditions of the eye. Certain medicines have also been shown to increase the risk of cataract formation. For many people this leads to a gradual loss of the ability to see clearly and, if left untreated, can lead to complete loss of vision. Although cataracts can not yet be prevented or reversed, they can usually be treated successfully with the more modern techniques of cataract surgery.  more

A clouding of the natural lens of the eye, which is clear at birth, causes cataracts. This clouding could occur congenitally, meaning it is present at birth, but it is most likely to occur in people over the age of 60 because of the aging process. Many younger people can get cataracts as a result of trauma, diabetes, or family genetics, which can play a role.  more

A. Cataracts are largely an age-related condition, but many factors can enhance earlier onset. Ultraviolet Light exposure has a cumulative effect, as does smoking.  more

Injury, eye disease, systemic diseases, age and genetics all contribute to the development of cataracts. More than half the people over age 65 have some degree of cataract development, but cataracts can affect all ages as they also can result from injury, heredity, or medications.  more

The eye functions much like a camera. Light rays enter through the front of the eye, passing through the cornea, the pupil, and the aqueous humor -- transparent fluid in the front of the eye -- onto the lens. The lens then bends light rays to focus objects onto the retina in the back of the eye. From there, the retina, the optic nerve, and the brain process the images and form vision. Cataracts occur when there is a buildup of protein in the lens that makes it cloudy. This prevents light from passing through a normally clear lens, causing some loss of vision. No one knows what causes the buildup of protein responsible for clouding the lens. The cataract is a lens that has become clouded. Types of cataracts include: • Age-related cataracts. As the name suggests, this type of cataract develops as a result of aging. • Congenital cataracts. Babies are sometimes born with cataracts as a result of an infection they had before they were born, or they may develop during childhood. • ...  more

The cause isn't clear, however, studies have been done that suggest some risk factors include: • Diabetes • Prolonged use of steroids • Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light (sunlight) • Exposure to cosmic radiation • Over-consumption of alcohol • Prolonged exposure to air pollution • Exposure to lead

No one knows exactly what causes cataracts. It is known that a chemical change occurs within your eye that causes the lens to become cloudy. This may be due to advancing age or it may be the result of heredity, an injury or disease.  more

In many cases there is no apparent cause for a cataract.  more

Normally, with the arrival of old age many people feel a change in their vision when everything appears to be cloudy. This is when they suspect of getting affected by cataracts and ask themselves what were the possible causes that lead to this disease. Read on to know what a cataract is and what its common causes are. Defining Cataracts Before knowing the causes of cataracts, it is essential that you first know what actually cataracts are. ‘Cataracts’ is a term generally referred to as a disease that usually affects people around the age of 70 and above and it causes a blurred vision. The word ‘cataract’ was derived from a Latin word “Cataracta”, meaning waterfall. Metaphorically, this Latin term has been used to denote this disease because of blurring in the eyes, which is also caused temporarily when we see a waterfall from a close distance. Age Factor The first and the most common cause of a cataract is age. As we grow older our lens also grow older and start loosing their natural ...  more

No one knows for sure why the eye's lens changes as we age, forming cataracts. Researchers are gradually identifying factors that may cause cataracts and information that may help to prevent them.  more