Perspective of Cataract and Oxidative Stress

Abstract

One of the main causes of blindness is the multifactorial condition known as cataract. It is believed that oxidative stress plays a significant role in starting the cataractogenesis process. Today, it is a well-established fact that oxidative stress plays a role in both diabetes-induced cataract (diabetic) and age-related cataract (senile). The most likely cause of oxidative damage to the lens is a compromised antioxidant defense system brought on by age and diabetes-related increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The main factor contributing to cataract formation is systemic oxidative stress, which is produced externally to the lens. An imbalance between pro- and antioxidant-oxidants leads to oxidative stress. It is essential to eliminate hazardous free radicals because they are a byproduct of normal metabolism. Globally, cataracts are the primary cause of blindness. Oxidative stress is the direct cause of the lens’s opacity. Although age is the main cause of cataracts, diabetes is also a common cause, as higher superoxide levels in the mitochondria arise from hyperglycemia. This review will look into ultraviolet (UV) light, diabetes, and diet (fat, alcohol, and vitamins) as risk factors for cataracts.