UNLOCKING THE FACTORS THAT CAUSE EARLY CATARACT

Abstract

Cataract is one of the reversible blindness in this world. Cataracts, a leading cause of blindness, result from various factors beyond aging. While senile cataracts are common in the elderly, their diverse forms suggest multiple causes. Childhood cataracts are a leading cause of blindness in underdeveloped nations, particularly India, where they account for 7.4-15.3% of all blindness cases. Risk factors include smoking, UV-B radiation, diabetes, steroid use, heavy alcohol consumption, electric shock, and genetic conditions like Down syndrome and hereditary cataracts. Metabolic disorders such as galactosemia, infections like TORCH, and chronic diseases including chronic kidney disease, atopic dermatitis, hepatitis C, Wilson’s disease, celiac disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, Fabry disease, and Marfan syndrome also contribute. Myopia, hypertension, and trauma, particularly in children, increase risk. Notably, high-dose vitamin C supplements may elevate cataract risk, unlike lower doses in multivitamins. Understanding these factors emphasizes the need for targeted prevention and early intervention to manage cataract risk and reduce vision impairment globally. In this review article we mainly find different types of factors that cause cataract.