Why is cataract caused

Most people can go home the same day as their surgery. Cataracts can interfere with daily activities and lead to blindness when left untreated. The surgical removal of cataracts is a very common procedure and is highly effective roughly 90 percent of the time, according to the National Eye Institute.

Cataracts can create cloudy or double vision and sensitivity to light. Read more on how they form and what you can do to treat them. Having diabetes does increase your risk for eye problems, including cataracts. Learn about the numerous types of cataract surgery, what sets them apart, benefits, side effects, costs, preparation, and recovery.

Pseudophakia is a term that describes having an artificial lens implanted in your eye. Here's what you need to know about this procedure. Recovery from cataract surgery generally lasts a short period of time, and you can return to many normal daily activities.

Cataract surgery is safe and effective, but there are some complications that can occur. The exact timeframe when you can safely exercise will be different for each person. However, there are some general guidelines for how to ease back…. Traumatic cataracts. An injury to one or both eyes may cause you to develop a traumatic cataract. This can happen either right after the accident or several years later. Although experts don't know for sure what causes cataracts, they think there could be several possible causes including:.

For many of the possible causes, more research is needed to set apart the effect of the disease from the effect of the medicines. Age is the greatest risk factor for cataracts. Age-related cataracts may develop between 40 and 50 years old. Where you live. Recent studies have shown that people who live in high altitudes are more at risk of developing cataracts. Too much sun exposure. People who spend more time in the sun may develop cataracts sooner than others.

The following are the most common symptoms of cataracts. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:.

Often in the disease's early stages, you may not notice any changes in your vision. Since cataracts tend to grow slowly, your eyesight will get worse slowly. Certain cataracts can also cause your close-up vision to get better for a short time. But your eyesight is likely to get worse as the cataract grows. The symptoms of cataracts may look like other eye conditions. Talk with a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Visual acuity test. The common eye chart test that measures vision ability at many distances. Pupil dilation. Cataracts can develop for many reasons, but the most frequent reason is the aging process.

As we age, the natural arrangement of proteins in the lens breaks down. This causes the proteins to eventually cluster together, clouding the lens and creating the cataract.

Other factors include exposure to ultraviolet UV rays, eye injury, genetic disorders, steroid use, radiation therapy, smoking, and diabetes. Children can also develop cataracts acquired cataracts for some of these same reasons and babies might be born with congenital cataracts.

Your yearly eye exam is a great time to inform your doctor of any developments with your vision as well as any health-related discoveries within your family. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview What a cataract looks like Open pop-up dialog box Close. What a cataract looks like A cataract occurs when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy.

How a cataract affects your vision Open pop-up dialog box Close. How a cataract affects your vision Normal vision left becomes blurred as a cataract forms right. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Cataract. Merck Manual Professional Version. Accessed June 28, Mayo Clinic; American Optometric Association. Jacobs DS. Cataract in adults. National Eye Institute. Cataract in the adult eye PPP.

American Academy of Ophthalmology.