Your eye contains a structure called a lens. The lens is responsible for filtering the light that comes in as you look at objects. The light is then sent to the retina. The retina then sends the information to the brain in the form of nervous signals so the brain can interpret the object you are seeing. If you have a cataract, it means that your lens has clouded over, which will make your eyesight blurry. Once you know the causes of eye cataracts, you can take steps to reduce your risk of getting them.
Sunlight
Cataracts can can start early in life, though initially they may be so small that they do not cause a change in vision. In many cases, it is not until a person reaches their 60s that vision is affected, says the National Eye Institute. It is important, however, to take steps early on to prevent cataracts. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage the lens. To help protect your eyes, you should wear sunglasses that block these rays, especially during periods of prolonged sun exposure. Using tanning beds and sun lamps can also harm your eyes if you do not wear the right eye protection.
Medical Conditions
There are many conditions that can damage the blood vessels and nerves supplying the eyes, which increases your risk of developing cataracts. This includes diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Doing all you can to manage these conditions will help reduce your risk of cataracts. If you have these risk factors, your eye doctor can do regular exams to catch any problems early when they are easier to treat. In rare cases, congenital cataracts can be caused if the mother develops German measles while pregnant. Some medications such as corticosteroids or diuretics can contribute to this condition as well.
Lifestyle Choices and Injuries
Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption can also cause damage to the eye. If you smoke or drink heavily talk to your doctor about finding a way to quit. If you have suffered an injury or trauma to the eye, your risk for developing cataracts may go up.
Age
According to the Mayo Clinic, your lens is mainly composed of water and protein. With age, natural changes occur to the lens making it less effective at processing light. In addition, the fibers of protein can begin to break down and clump together causing a cataract. In some cases, there is no known reason for why these changes happen. In other cases, it is due to sunlight exposure or the other risk factors previously mentioned.
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