What Causes Cataracts, and How to Help Prevent Them

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural crystalline lens that reduces the amount of light reaching the retina, causing blurred vision. It is a leading cause of treatable blindness worldwide.

Factors That Cause Cataracts

• Increasing age — the most common cause
• Sunlight and UV radiation accumulated over time
• Underlying conditions such as diabetes
• Smoking and alcohol consumption
• Long-term use of steroid medications
• Eye injury or trauma

Care and Prevention

Although age-related cataracts are difficult to prevent, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, managing underlying conditions, quitting smoking, and having regular eye check-ups can help slow their progression and reduce risk.

Treatment

When a cataract interferes with daily life, surgery to replace the lens with an intraocular lens is an effective and safe treatment that restores clear vision.