What causes of cataract?

Answer 1

A cataract is a very common condition of the lens (a structure located inside the eye which, along with the cornea, focuses light on the retina for clear vision). A cataract is a clouding or opacity of the lens that results in decreased vision, glare, and/or haloes around lights. If these symptoms interfere with one's quality of life, an ophthalmologist can remove the lens and replace it with an artificial lens. Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed in developed countries. A number of factors increase the likelihood of cataract formation, with increasing age being the most common cause, in addition to trauma, frequent ocular steroid administratioon, prior intraocular surgery (e.g., for glaucoma and retinal detachment), various disorders of the body (e.g., Diabetes), other disorders of the eye (e.g., intrraocular inflammation called "uveitis"), the use of non-ocular medications (e.g., amiodarone, which is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms), and many others. Congenital cataracts (meaning present at birth) require prompt removal because they can cause irreversible vision loss in infants; by preventing light from reaching the retina, the area of the brain responsible for interpreting signals from the eye do not have an opportunity to develop properly. It is important to note that almost everyone over rhe age of 40 has some degree of lens clouding and thus technically has a cataract. But only visually signicant cataracts (i.e., those causing symptoms) should be of any concern to the patient or physician.

Answer 2

Cataracts, are formed by the clumping of proteins in the lens of the eye. Over time they clump together enough to create a foggy film which can continue to thicken until it becomes opaque or nearly opaque. Surgery is very common, safe and successful. Lens replacement surgery can mean that that there is no longer a need for glasses, pending on the type of lens.

Answer 3

Traumatic cataracts may develop after a foreign body or trauma injures the lens or eye.