What Causes Cataracts And What Age Do You Develop Them?
Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process for most people. In fact, 90% of people will develop a cataract by age 65, though many may not experience symptoms for months or even years after the cataract develops. However, there are a number of additional cataract risk factors that can cause cataracts to develop more quickly or earlier in life. These include diabetes, smoking, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, and certain medications such as corticosteroids. While cataracts cannot be completely prevented, making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and wearing sunglasses can help to slow their progression. In addition, regular eye exams can help to detect cataracts in their early stages, when they are most treatable.
However, there are a number of additional cataract risk factors that can cause cataracts to develop more quickly or earlier in life:
Smoking: Cigarette smoke is a major source of free radicals, which can damage the proteins in the eye and lead to cataract formation.
Excessive sunlight exposure: UV light accelerates the breakdown of proteins in the eye, leading to cataracts.
Diabetes: People with diabetes are at increased risk for cataracts due to high levels of sugar in the blood, which can damage proteins in the lens of the eye.
Certain medications: Steroid use, long-term use of NSAIDs, and certain chemotherapy drugs can increase the risk for cataracts.
If you are experiencing any vision changes or symptoms of cataracts, be sure to see your doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to help preserve your vision.
What Are Cataracts & How Do You Get Them?: Everything You Need to Know About This Eye Condition…
If you’ve been experiencing vision problems, it’s important to get checked out by an eye doctor. One common eye condition that people often experience as they age is cataracts. In this blog post, we will discuss what cataracts are, how they form, and the treatments available for this condition. We’ll also answer some of the most common questions people have about cataracts. So if you’re curious to learn more about this eye condition, keep reading!
What are cataracts?
Simply put, cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s lens. This can cause your vision to become blurry or cloudy. Cataracts usually form slowly and tend to be more common in older adults. However, they can also occur in younger people as a result of an injury or other health condition.
How do cataracts form?
Cataracts form when proteins in the eye’s lens clump together and begin to cloud the lens. This process is usually gradual and happens over time. In some cases, cataracts may develop quickly if you have had an injury to your eye or another health condition that affects your eyesight.
Are there different types of cataracts?
There are actually several different types of cataracts, which can be classified based on their location in the eye or their cause. The most common type of cataract is called a nuclear cataract, which forms in the center of the eye’s lens. Cortical cataracts, which form around the edge of the lens, are another type of cataract that is fairly common. And finally, posterior subcapsular cataracts form at the back of the lens. This type of cataract is often associated with diabetes or other health conditions that affect your eyesight.
How are cataracts treated?
Cataracts usually require surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens. This is a fairly common and safe procedure that is typically performed on an outpatient basis. In most cases, people are able to resume their normal activities within a few days of surgery.
If you think you may have cataracts, or if you’ve been experiencing vision problems, be sure to see an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. Cataracts can usually be diagnosed during a routine eye exam. And if you do have cataracts, treatment can help improve your vision and quality of life.
