Cataracts are one of the most common vision impediments, mostly in elderly people. A cataract develops when the lens of the eye become hard and cloudy. Cataracts can blur or dull vision, make the eye extremely sensitive to light or glare and may even cause the patient to see ghost images. If the cataract interferes with daily living, it needs to be removed with surgery. If the cataract is not removed, the lens may continue to grow cloudier, causing your vision to worse over time.
Though most cataracts develop due to natural aging, they are also caused by eye injury, from previous eye surgery or from some medications. Apart from age-related cataracts, the most common types are:
Some babies develop cataract while in the womb or in childhood, usually on both eyes. Congenital cataracts may not affect vision, but if they do, they need to be removed with surgery.
People with other health problems like diabetes, etc are more likely to develop cataract. Cataracts have also been linked to the use of steroids.
Cataracts can also be caused by eye injury or eye surgery, soon after the event or even years later.