Cataracts occur when eye lenses become cloudy. Factors associated with clouding include:

• Aging (age-related cataracts).
• Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as from sunlight, tanning booths, or sunlamps.
• Diabetes. Diabetes, especially when the blood sugar levels are above the safe range, causes changes in the eye that can result in cataracts.
• Disease inside the eye, such as glaucoma, long-term (chronic) uveitis, retinitis pigmentosa, or retinal detachment.
• Long-term use of steroid medications.
• Frequent X-rays or radiation treatments to the head.
• Family history (genetics). A person may inherit the tendency to develop cataracts.
• Vitrectomy. People older than age 50 who have had the vitreous gel removed from their eye (vitrectomy) have an increased risk of cataracts. Some studies show that up to 80% of older people develop cataracts between 6 months and 3 years after vitrectomy.¹
• Eye injury. While injury-related cataracts are rare, injury is a leading cause of cataracts in children.
• Being born with cataracts. Some children are born with the condition.

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