Popular Science | Common causes of cataracts

Many people think that their eyes are very healthy and cataracts have nothing to do with them. In fact, it is not true! Our understanding of cataracts is too one-sided. Let us learn about the common causes of cataracts and see what causes cataracts in ourselves or the elderly in our family.

Age-related cataracts

This is a very common cause of disease. It is more common in middle-aged and elderly people over 40 years old, and the incidence rate increases with age.

Congenital cataract

Cataracts are congenital genetic or developmental disorders that exist before or after birth or gradually develop after birth.

Complicated cataract

Complicated cataracts are caused by eye diseases. Many eye diseases cause changes in the intraocular environment, causing the lens to become cloudy.

Metabolic cataract

Metabolic cataracts are divided into diabetic cataracts, galactose cataracts and tetany cataracts.

Due to the increase in blood sugar in patients, more glucose enters the lens, glycokinase is activated, glucose is converted into sorbitol and accumulates in the lens, the intracellular osmotic pressure increases, the lens absorbs water, swells and becomes turbid, and diabetic cataracts are induced.

Traumatic cataract

Caused by trauma such as penetrating eye injury, blunt trauma, radiation injury or electric shock.

Drugs and toxic cataracts

Caused by long-term use of certain drugs or exposure to certain chemicals.

Director Cao Xiangrong of Tianjin University Aier Eye Hospital said that if you find yourself suffering from cataracts or eye discomfort, you must go to the hospital for examination and treatment in time. Do not wait until you are "familiar" with cataract surgery, and do not avoid surgery because of your age. Today's surgical technology is very mature, and everyone can hope to regain clear vision and get rid of the trouble of cataracts.