Causes of Cataracts
Cause details for Cataracts: The lens lies behind the iris and the pupil . It works much like a camera lens. It focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye, where an image is recorded. The lens also adjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away.
The lens is made of mostly water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it.
But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract. Over time, the cataract may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.
Researchers suspect that there are several causes of cataract, such as smoking and diabetes. Or, it may be that the protein in the lens just changes from the wear and tear it takes over the years.1
The lens is made mostly of water and protein. The protein is arranged to let light pass through and focus on the retina. Sometimes some of the protein clumps together. This can start to cloud small areas of the lens, blocking some light from reaching the retina and interfering with vision. This is a cataract.
In its early stages, a cataract may not cause a problem. The cloudiness may affect only a small part of the lens. However, over time, the cataract may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see. Because less light reaches the retina, your vision may become dull and blurry. A cataract won't spread from one eye to the other, although many people develop cataracts in both eyes.
Although researchers are learning more about cataracts, no one knows for sure what causes them. Scientists think there may be several causes, including smoking, diabetes, and excessive exposure to sunlight.2
Underlying condition causes of Cataracts: The list of possible underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Cataracts) mentioned in various sources as possible causes of Cataracts includes:
- Aging
- Diabetes
- Eye injury
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Down syndrome
- Congenital rubella syndrome - causing cataracts in newborns of mothers with rubella.
- Radiation injury to eyes
- Uveitis
- Congenital rubella syndrome - causing cataracts in neonates.
- Certain congenital disorders
- Certain metabolic disorders
- Certain medications
Cataracts as a complication: Other conditions that might have Cataracts as a complication might be potential underlying causes of Cataracts. The list of conditions listing Cataracts as a complication in our database includes:
- Aging
- Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome
- Brain cancer
- Down Syndrome
- Marfan syndrome
- Sarcoidosis
Cataracts as a symptom: Conditions listing Cataracts as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Cataracts. The list of conditions listing Cataracts as a symptom in our database includes:
Causes of Cataracts: medical news summaries: The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Cataracts:
Related information for causes of Cataracts:
Further relevant information on causes of Cataracts may be found
in the risk factors for Cataracts
and underlying causes of Cataracts.
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Are You At Risk for Cataract: NEI
2. excerpt from Facts About Cataract: NEI
Last revision:
May 26, 2003
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