Cataracts can be caused by many factors; they are age, other health conditions, eye injury and exposing to radiation or chemicals.
What causes a cataract?
- Normal aging – aging is the most common cause for cataract
- Diabetes – diabetics are at increased risk for cataract
- Smoking – increases the chances of having cataract
- Excessive alcohol consumption - believed to increase the risk of having cataract
- Eye injury or trauma – may develop a cataract immediately or after some years
- Exposure to radiation - such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation may develop a cataract
- Exposure to some harmful chemical – may develop a cataract.
- Steroidal medications – can increase the chances of cataract when used for prolong a period.
- Surgery - certain eye surgery such as glaucoma or retinal surgery may cause a cataract.
- Genetics - some time cataract from birth (inherited cataract), may be genetically caused.