Although more commonly found in the elderly (elderly), young people can also get cataracts. Check out the following article to find out what causes cataracts at a young age that you need to be aware of.
Cataract is a condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. This condition is the leading cause of blindness in the world. That is why, you need to be aware of it from an early age. Because cataracts can occur at a young age.
There are various causes of cataracts at a young age that could happen to you. Some of them even look trivial and are often overlooked.
Causes of Cataracts at a Young Age
Here are some factors that can cause cataracts at a young age:
1. Eye injury
Eye injuries can happen anytime and to anyone. Blunt injury, such as an impact, as well as sharp injury, such as a puncture to the eye, can cause traumatic cataracts. This type of cataract occurs due to damage to the structure of the lens due to injury. This condition will cloud the lens of the eye and cause cataracts to occur immediately or slowly, even in children.
2. Sun exposure
The next cause of cataracts at a young age is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. UV rays, particularly UVA rays, can penetrate the cornea and reach the eye's lens and retina.
Excessive exposure to these rays is known to cause injury to the cornea and trigger cataracts. To reduce the risk of developing cataracts due to UV exposure, it is recommended that you wear sunglasses when you are outside during the day.
3. Diabetes
If you develop diabetes at a young age, your risk of developing cataracts is also higher, especially the cortical type. The buildup of sugar (sorbitol) triggered by diabetes can form a cloudy cloud that fills the lens of the eye.
As a result, light cannot pass through the lens and vision becomes blurry. In addition to cataracts, diabetics are also more at risk for developing other eye diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
4. Hereditary factors
Hereditary factors can be the cause of cataracts at a young age. This factor is even one of the most common causes of cataracts in infants. Your risk of developing cataracts at a young age will be higher if you have family members with a history of cataracts, especially if their cataracts also occurred at a young age.
5. Cigarettes and alcohol
Heavy smokers are three times more likely to develop cataracts. Not only smokers, alcoholics are also at high risk for developing cataracts at a young age.
In addition to these five things, long-term consumption or use of corticosteroid drugs, poor diet, and obesity can also increase the risk of developing cataracts at a young age.
Causes of cataracts at a young age can occur from infants to young adults. The sooner cataracts are found, the better the treatment results can be. Therefore, if you notice any symptoms of cataracts in yourself or your child, such as blurred or ghosting vision and difficulty seeing clearly at night, go to the doctor immediately for a check-up.
