Can Young People Get Cataracts?

According to the National Eye Institute, more than 95 percent of people with cataracts are age 55 and older. While the vast majority of cataract cases occur beginning at age 40, younger adults, children and infants also can develop cataracts.

Berks Eye Physicians and Surgeons explains more in this blog post.

Reasons Young People May Develop Cataracts

Cataracts are considered to be a result of age-related changes in the eye. Over time, the clear lens located in front of the cornea becomes clouded, interfering with normal vision. However, there are several factors that can expedite these changes in the eye and cause someone to get cataracts earlier in life.

People with a family history of cataracts are more likely to develop cataracts sooner, as are individuals who overexpose their eyes to UV light. Smoking also increases the chances of cataracts. In fact, research shows that smokers are twice as likely as non-smokers to develop cataracts.

Although cataracts cannot be prevented, there are several things you can do to delay their development. This includes wearing sunglasses that offer 100 percent UV protection, not smoking, and eating an eye-friendly diet rich in lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C. If you are at higher risk of cataracts, make sure to get your eyes examined by an eye doctor.

What Is Congenital Cataracts?

Congenital cataracts is a rare form of the disease that babies are either born with or develop shortly after birth. If undetected, congenital cataracts can lead to amblyopia, or lazy eye, especially when cataracts is only present in one eye or bigger in one eye than the other.

Early stages of cataracts can be managed with prescription eyewear. However, as a cataract grows and vision worsens, it must be surgically extracted. Cataract surgery, in both children and adults of all ages, is highly safe and successful.

At Berks Eye Physicians and Surgeons, our team of board-certified eye doctors has years of experience diagnosing and treating cataracts. If you have cataracts or believe that your blurry vision is a result of cataracts, we encourage you to schedule an appointment. Contact us by calling or emailing our office today.