Causes of cataract

To some extent, cataracts are evitable in old people. But there are many other factors that contribute to the development of cataracts, such as exposure to intensive UV light or high-energy x-rays, cigarette smoking and tobacco chewing, drugs including steroids, certain diseases including diabetes and so on. Maternal infections caused cataracts and traumatic cataracts are also potential. With proper methods, cataracts in younger individuals can be possibly prevented or slowed.

Congenital cataract occurs at a rate of about 0.03%, 20% of which have a family history of the disease. Age-related cataracts appear in yellowish and grayish colors. A rare case is white cataract in certain patients, which is often associated with posterior sub-capsular cataract (PSC). PSC cataract progresses much faster than age-related nuclear cataract and requires earlier surgical removal. In most cases, the surgical removal of PSC cataracts in two eyes is decoupled.

Thick aphakic contact lenses are much likely to cause corneal infections, resulting in painful ulcer and other symptoms. In this case, patients can switch to intraocular lens implantation for permanent vision correction. But this procedure is only suitable for adults, because the eyes of children continue to grow and develop. Cataract surgery in infants and children involves more risks. Some fragments of the original cataracts may be left during the surgery and a secondary cataract may develop quickly in the posterior capsule in those thriving children. Younger people who have a vitrectomy may get cataract sooner at a higher risk.

Taken from Vision Surgery. Link to article: http://vision.firmoo.com/vision-surgery/cause-and-cost-of-cataract-surgery.html