How do cataracts develop?
The most common reason for cataracts to develop is increasing age. As people grow older, the lens of the eye becomes less clear until, ultimately, a cataract that causes reduction in vision is present. Cataracts are slightly more common in people with diabetes, in people who take corticosteroid tablets (particularly for long periods of time), in those who have suffered a significant injury to the eye, in those with a family history of cataract or previous inflammation within the eye. Very rarely, children are born with congenital cataracts. All babies are examined within the first few days of life to ensure that they do not have a cataract. This is usually done by the paediatrician who examines babies before they leave hospital. What are the symptoms of cataracts? There are various different types of cataract. A nuclear cataract causes gradual reduction in vision. It may lead to changes in the spectacle correction for the eye such that new glasses are needed frequently, even up to ever
• Answer: Age-related cataracts develop when the lens, which consists mostly of water and protein, clumps together. This produces clouding of the lens and reduces the amount of light that reaches the retina. The clouding may become severe enough to cause blurred vision. Cataracts can also develop from exposure to ultraviolet radiation, eye injuries, eye diseases, certain medications, or diabetes.
