Causes of Cataracts
Cataract formation is variable and hard to predict in each person. Any part of the lens can become opaque. As the initially transparent lens ages, its thickness and weight increase. The lens is comprised of transparent fibres and their continuous formation causes the centre, the lens nucleus, to harden and compress. This is known as nuclear sclerosis. Proteins in these fibres subsequently undergo changes that alter their transparency and give them a yellowish-brown colour. When the individual’s vision starts to decline, the progression is variable, but it is normally irreversible with the passage of time.
Risk factors associated with Cataracts
Cataracts form part of the eye’s normal ageing process, so age is the most significant risk factor.
Age is the most significant risk factor
Other risk factors known to play a role in the development of cataracts are:
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light.
Smoking.
High myopia (nearsightedness).
Chronic use of oral, inhaled, intravitreal or topical (eye drops) corticosteroids.
Family history of cataracts.
Certain inflammatory eye diseases (uveitis).
Prior history of eye surgery, mainly vitreoretinal surgery.
Malnutrition and acute dehydration (especially in developing countries).
Genetic factors. In the case of young patients, cataracts tend to be congenital or caused by trauma. In paediatric patients the most common type are congenital cataracts (which are often due to an infection such as rubella, measles, chickenpox, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus or a virus from the herpes group) or those caused by metabolic diseases or genetic syndromes.
Substantiated information by:
Published: 26 April 2018
Updated: 26 April 2018
Subscribe
Receive the latest updates related to this content.
Thank you for subscribing!
If this is the first time you subscribe you will receive a confirmation email, check your inbox