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What is the Common Age to Get Cataracts?
by Dr. Anisha Gupta Eye Specialist Cataracts are a common eye condition that causes clouding of the eye lens. Cataracts can affect people of all ages but are most commonly associated with ageing. Cataracts can also be caused by injury, certain medications and medical conditions like diabetes.The lens is the clear and transparent structure of the eye that focuses the light on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, sending visual signals to the brain. However, when cataracts develop, this lens becomes cloudy or opaque, causing blurred or distorted vision. Cataract eye surgery in Delhi is the only effective treatment to manage it.
Common Age to Get Cataracts
While age-related cataracts typically start appearing after the age of 50, they can develop as early as 40. Age-related cataracts usually occur due to changes in the structure of protein in the eye's lens; this protein accumulation makes the lens white and less flexible, resulting in blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty with night vision. There are different types of age-related cataracts:
Nuclear cataract - it occurs in the nucleus or central part of the lens
Cortical cataract - it occurs in the cortex or peripheral part of the lens
Posterior subcapsular cataract - it occurs just under the posterior capsule (back of the lens’s surface) and causes a lot of visual symptoms.
Other Risk Factors for Cataracts
Cataracts can also be caused by various other factors, such as diabetes, inflammation, other underlying diseases, and even the use of steroids.
Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts. The elevated blood sugar level can lead to changes in the eye's lens, accelerating the clouding process.
Inflammation: Inflammatory conditions like uveitis can cause secondary cataracts.
Steroid Intake: Long-term use of corticosteroid medications, whether in the form of eye drops, oral medications, or injections, can contribute to cataract development.
Family History: Genetics can play a role in cataract development. You may be at a higher risk and develop cataracts earlier if you have a family history of cataracts.
Ultraviolet Exposure: Prolonged exposure to UV rays from the sun can increase the risk of cataracts.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of cataracts. Limiting alcohol intake may help reduce this risk.
Trauma : Any form of direct injury to the eye, blunt or penetrating, can result in cataracts.
Other eye surgeries : Eye surgeries like glaucoma surgeries and retinal surgeries cause early development of cataracts. Cataracts are also seen to develop early in people with very high minus power (Extreme near-sightedness).
Other systemic disorders : Many connective tissue disorders, metabolic disorders, genetic syndromes and autoimmune conditions are associated with early onset of cataract.
How to Manage Cataracts?
There is no way to prevent cataracts, but there are things you can do to slow their progression, such as:
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays.
Manage your blood sugar level.
Quit smoking.
Eat healthy food.
If your cataracts grow serious enough to impair your vision, Cataract eye surgery in Delhi is the only way to treat them. The best cataract surgeon in Delhi will remove the clouded lens and replace it with an intraocular lens (IOL).
Conclusion!
While age-related cataracts are the most common and typically manifest after the age of 50 (though they may start as early as 40), cataracts can also result from diabetes, inflammation, other diseases, trauma, other eye surgeries and steroid intake. Therefore, regular eye check-ups and early detection are crucial for maintaining good eye health and preventing vision loss due to cataracts.
If you are dealing with cataracts and looking for cataract eye surgeon in Delhi, schedule your consultation with Dr. Anisha Gupta.
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About Dr. Anisha Gupta 
Eye Specialist
10 connections, 0 recommendations, 48 honor points.Joined APSense since, July 7th, 2023, From Delhi, India.
Created on Oct 9th 2023 03:29. Viewed 246 times.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays.
Manage your blood sugar level.
Quit smoking.
Eat healthy food.
Feb 16th 2024 05:37