What causes cataracts?
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
Cataracts are due to aging of the proteins in the lens. This usually begins about the age of sixty, but may occur in the forties or may not appear until age ninety. Other possible causes for cataract development include smoking, diabetes and protein fluctuations in the lens that are a normal part of the body’s aging process. Anyone who lives long enough will develop cataracts.
Laura D. Cook: Normally, just aging causes cataracts. Every year of age changes the clarity and the consistency of the lens. There are certain other disease processes or conditions that can cause that as well. Diabetes is one, been highly nearsighted is another or high myopia, inflammation inside of the eye, having been on steroids in the past topically, periarticularly Depo shots or even orally can actually accelerate cataract formation.
