Most people associate cataracts with aging, and they’re not wrong. The majority of cataracts develop in people over 60, as the proteins in the eye’s natural lens break down over time.
However, age isn’t the only factor that can contribute to cataracts. Many younger adults, children, and even babies can develop cataracts for reasons other than aging. Understanding these risk factors can help you protect your vision at any age.
What Causes Cataracts?
A cataract forms when proteins in your eye’s lens begin to clump together, creating cloudiness that blocks light from reaching your retina. While this process typically happens gradually with age, other factors can trigger the same protein breakdown:
1. Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common medical conditions linked to early cataract formation. When your blood sugar stays elevated, it can cause changes in your eye’s lens that lead to cataracts developing at a younger age.
People with diabetes often develop cataracts in both eyes, and these cataracts tend to progress faster than age-related cataracts. Managing your blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication can help slow this process.
2. Eye Diseases and Past Surgeries
Certain eye conditions increase your likelihood of developing cataracts. Inflammation inside the eye, as in uveitis, can damage lens proteins over time.
Past eye surgeries, particularly those for glaucoma, may also raise your cataract risk. If you have a chronic eye disease, your ophthalmologist at Frantz EyeCare will monitor your lens health during regular exams.
3. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
Your daily environment and habits can affect your cataract risk more than you might realize. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun damages the proteins in your lens, which is why wearing UV-blocking sunglasses is so important.
Smoking introduces harmful chemicals into your body that create free radicals, unstable molecules that damage healthy cells, including those in your eyes. Excessive alcohol consumption has similar effects.
Some people face occupational hazards that increase their risk. Exposure to industrial chemicals, pesticides, or other toxins can accelerate cataract formation. If you’ve had radiation therapy to your upper body for cancer treatment, this exposure can also lead to cataracts years later.
4. Traumatic Cataracts
Eye injuries can cause traumatic cataracts at any age. A blow to the eye, penetrating injury, or burn can damage your lens and trigger cataract formation. These cases often require more complex treatment because the injury may have affected surrounding structures.
5. Pediatric and Congenital Cataracts
Some babies are born with cataracts, called congenital cataracts, while others develop them during childhood. These pediatric cataracts often run in families, though they can also result from infections during pregnancy or other genetic conditions. Children with cataracts need prompt evaluation and treatment to prevent vision problems like amblyopia (lazy eye) from developing.
6. Secondary Cataracts
Interestingly, some people develop what are called secondary cataracts after cataract surgery. These aren’t true cataracts but rather cloudy patches that form on the lens capsule, the membrane that holds your lens. This common complication is easily treatable with a quick laser procedure.
Protect Your Vision at Any Age
Cataracts can develop for many reasons beyond the natural aging process. Medical conditions like diabetes, environmental exposures, eye injuries, and genetic factors all contribute to cataract formation.
If you have any of these risk factors or notice changes in your vision, don’t wait to get checked.
Schedule an appointment at Frantz EyeCare in Fort Myers, FL, to discuss your eye health and learn more about protecting your vision from cataracts.
