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Some diseases affect partly sighted vision; for instance, cataracts are an eye disease; a clear structure called the lens in the eye turns foggy. This clouding affects vision and, if not treated, may cause serious visual acuity compromise.
Knowing the Cataract causes to control and possibly eradicate this disease is important. The following sections discuss some of the main causes of cataract development.
Causes Cataracts
Age-Related Cataracts Causes
Many leading factors cause cataracts, and the most common one is aging. In normal aging, the proteins of the eye's lens deteriorate and aggregate, and the formation of a cloudy region begins. A cataract develops in a person 60 years and above, which is why cataracts are common among elderly people. Sometimes, cataracts in children are caused by issues during pregnancy or low nutrition in the body.
UV Exposure and Cataracts
Sun radiation in the form of ultraviolet causes harm to people's health; for instance, in Kenya, eye lens clouding worsens with exposure to the sun. UV light can change the proteins that 'glue' the lens, so it stands to reason that changing the lens will produce cataracts. This risk can be avoided by wearing UV-protecting sunglasses.
Diabetes-Related Cataracts
The effects of diabetes are high blood sugar levels and hyperglycemia, which leads to vision disorders such as cataracts. High glucose under these conditions leads to lens swelling because oxidative stress is implicated in developing cataracts
Smoking and Cataract Risk
It has also come a long way in establishing that smoking is one of the prominent factors that lead to the condition. Generating unhealthy free radicals can decompose lens protein and cause cataracts to form much faster. The survey also shows that people who smoke are much more likely to have cataracts as compared to those who don't smoke.
Family history of cataracts
This is because eye cataracts are known to have some relation with the family history. If close relatives have developed cataracts, the genetic risk increases, especially with cataracts with early onset.
Complications of Eye Surgery That Develops into Cataracts
Ideally, secondary cataracts can develop from prior eye surgeries such as those of the retina. The type of cataract, called posterior capsular opacification, may occur after surgery because of alterations in lens architecture.
Cataract Formation Reasons Due to Injury
Physical trauma to the eye is another factor causing cataracts. Accidents can affect the lens and its usual transparency; it can progress to cataract formation at a fast pace.
An analysis of the effects of aging and cataract formation
Whereas in the young lens, the material of the lens is more elastic and has an enhanced capacity to repair itself, aging impairs the entire lens and its capacity to repair, making it extremely vulnerable. This inability to recover from damage is the main reason age is taken to be the main cause of cataracts.
Nutritional Deficiencies
There is much appreciation that low-level antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, can cause oxidation stress in the eye. Stress is one of the causes of cataracts, but fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals.
Risk Factors for Cataracts: Beyond Aging
Some of the other causes of the development of cataracts are the use of steroids for the long term, excessive taking of alcohol, and radiation. These all contribute to the slow but sure misting of the lens.
Cataract Symptoms and Causes
Cataracts are characterized by smokey, hazy, or cloudy vision, poor night vision, problems vision at a glare, and color fading to yellow. Diagnosis of such conditions is essential because their causes can be uncovered, thus avoiding further development.
Cataract Prevention Tips
While certain characteristics that increase the likelihood of developing cataracts cannot be eradicated – including the passing of time and heredity – other risk factors may be effectively managed. Key prevention strategies include:
Using UV-blocking sunglasses.
From only smoking to exercising and eating healthy to avoid free radicals.
Self-care routine for diseases such as diabetes.
A diet that is high in antioxidants
Reducing alcohol consumption.
If you control the above factors, the chances become narrow, and you have a better chance of having a good vision in the future.
This is more so since cataracts are a common and easily treatable eye condition. Learning what causes cataracts and how to prevent it can go a long way in improving one's eyesight and overall well-being.