According to Dr. Anil Radhakrishnan - consultant and clinical associate professor, Department of Dentistry, Amrita Hospital, Kochi (India), cataracts do not only occur in the elderly but can also appear in young people. Although this disease is mainly related to age, there are many other causes that can cause cataracts in young people. Here is information you need to know about causes, signs and prevention.
Causes of cataracts in young people
Eye injury: One of the main causes of cataracts in young people is eye injury. If the eyes are damaged, the glass tissue can be damaged, leading to clots.
Eye surgery: People who have undergone eye surgery, such as refractive surgery or other eye treatments, may experience cataracts.
External factors: Factors such as smoking, being overweight, diabetes or high blood pressure can increase the risk of cataracts.
Medication: Long-term use of corticosteroids (corticoids) can lead to cataracts.
Exposure to sunlight: Strong sunlight and unprotected eye can accelerate the development of cataracts.
Symptoms of cataracts
blurred vision: Your eyes become blurred and difficult to see clearly.
sensitivity to light: Your eyes become more sensitive to bright light.
Difficulty observing at night: observing at night becomes more difficult.
Fading colors: Colors become blurred and not as bright as before.
The feeling of looking through a foggy window: You may feel like you are looking through a layer of fog or thick cloud.
How to prevent cataracts
Eye protection: Wear protective glasses when participating in sports or activities that can damage the eyes.
Regular eye check-ups: Especially for people who use corticosteroids or have health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure, regular eye check-ups are very important.
Health management: Controlling chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure will help prevent cataracts.
Wear UV sunglasses: Use sunglasses that are resistant to UV rays to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of sunlight.
Conclusion
Dr. Anil Radhakrishnan said that although cataracts are common in older adults, young people also need to pay attention to the signs and causes that can cause this condition. Proper eye protection and regular eye check-ups can help detect and prevent disease early.
