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What causes cataracts?

Most cataracts are caused by ageing. Cataracts can also occur as a result of damage to the eye, inflammation inside the eye, some medications and medical conditions. In babies, congenital cataracts are due to malformation of the lens.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What are cataracts?

Cataracts are the clouding of the lens inside the eye. They are not a skin or growth in the eye, but are due to a breakdown of proteins in the lens.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

Most commonly, the symptoms of cataract are blurred, cloudy vision. People with cataracts may also experience increased sensitivity to glare, double vision or ghosting of images and a reduction in the vividness of colors.

Who gets cataracts?

Cataracts are most common in people over 60 years of age. By the age of 90, almost all people have some level of cataract. Babies can be born with congenital cataracts if there has been abnormal development of the lens. One or both eyes may be affected.

How are cataracts diagnosed?

Cataracts can be detected in an eye examination by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. In some cases, cataracts may be detected quite a long time before a person notices any symptoms.

How are cataracts treated?

In the early stages, cataracts may not require any treatment, other than making sure your glasses prescription is up to date and wearing tinted lenses if glare is a problem. Cataract surgery is a relatively minor procedure in which the lens containing the …

Can cataracts be prevented?

Because most cataracts are part of the normal ageing process, they cannot be completely prevented. Not smoking, wearing sunglasses to reduce overexposure to the sun (ultraviolet light) and managing conditions that can contribute to the formation of cataracts …

Can cataracts come back after surgery?

Cataracts can't grow back after surgery. In some people, the back of the lens capsule can become opaque over time. This is called posterior lens capsule opacification (PCO) and is easily treatable with a painless laser treatment called YAG laser …

Are cataracts serious?

Most cataracts develop slowly and don't pose any risk to the eye's health. However, they can cause a reduction in vision that won't go away unless treated. Rarely, in very advanced cases, the lens capsule can break down and the contents of the lens will begin to leak …

What increases the chances of developing cataracts?

Most cataracts develop as part of the ageing process, but factors such as having diabetes, smoking, having an eye injury or inflammation inside the eye and excessive exposure to sunlight can speed up the development of cataracts.

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About this article

Author: Kellie Heywood
First answered: 18 Sep 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Votes: 871 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Macular degeneration

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