Ageing causes cataracts. This is due to normal eye changes that happen after around age 40. Normal proteins in the lens start to break down. This causes the lens to get cloudy. People over age 60 usually start to have some visible clouding of their lenses. Vision problems may only start years later.
Other reasons you may get cataracts:
• Having a family history of cataracts
• Having certain medical problems like diabetes
• Having had an eye injury or eye surgery
• Having spent a lot of time in the sun, especially without sunglasses that protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays
You may be able to slow down your development of cataracts.
Protecting your eyes from sunlight is the best way to do this. Wear sunglasses that screen out the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light rays. You may also wear regular eyeglasses that have a clear, anti-UV coating.
Cataracts can be removed only with surgery. If your cataract symptoms are not bothering you, you don’t have to remove a cataract.