One of the most common reasons why individuals will need eye surgery is to treat cataracts. Cataracts form when proteins accumulate inside the cornea, and this, in turn, clouds up the eye lens. The patient loses their eyesight gradually. If they do not receive treatment, they could suffer from complete blindness in the affected eye.
While this usually occurs as some people get older, age is not the only risk factor to be wary of. Knowing the other potential causes of cataracts, which are usually underrated by people that are unaware of them, will help you with identifying a potential issue with yourself or your child and having it addressed by a medical professional. Here are two commonly overlooked causes of cataracts that should have you visit an eye surgeon.
Genetics
Cataracts are sometimes associated with external risk factors, such as smoking. But in some cases, your genes could be to blame for your susceptibility to this disorder. For example, some children are born with cataracts already developed in their eyes. In these cases, the affected children could have developed chromosomal abnormalities or have developed an illness, such as Lowe's syndrome.
Secondly, someone could be vulnerable to cataracts over time if they were born with a genetic disorder. Wilson's disease, Down's syndrome, and so on increase the risk of someone developing cataracts.
Lastly, cataracts can also come about if a child is born with a congenital infection. Syphilis, for instance, is an infection that will typically cause cataracts in kids. Hence, if you recently have had a child and one or both of their eyes appears foggy, it is imperative to visit an eye surgeon at your earliest convenience.
Medications
The second cause of cataracts that can be easy to overlook if you have never had an adverse reaction to medication is that some drugs can cause this condition. The typical culprit happens to be corticosteroids. Some steroidal medications that are administered to treat macular oedema, a condition where the macula in your eye swells, can lead to the development of a cataract. Nevertheless, even when the medication is stopped, it is not a guarantee that the cataract will get better. Thus, you will likely require cataract surgery.
It is important to note that corticosteroids are not the only culprits. Additional medications that could lead to cataract development include antipsychotic medication, anti-cancer medications, and a few more.
For more information, visit an eye surgeon near you.
Share
