Cataracts are most commonly due to aging but may also occur due to trauma or radiation exposure, be present from birth, or occur following eye surgery for other problems. Risk factors include diabetes, longstanding use of corticosteroid medication, smoking tobacco, prolonged exposure to sunlight, and alcohol. The underlying mechanism involves accumulation of clumps of protein or yellow-brown pigment in the lens that reduces transmission of light to the retina at the back of the eye. Diagnosis is by an eye examination.
cataracts are most commonly due to aging but may also occur due to trauma or radiation exposure be present from birth or occur following eye surgery for other problems risk factors include diabetes longstanding use of corticosteroid medication smoking tobacco prolonged exposure to sunlight and alcohol the underlying mechanism involves accumulation of clumps of protein or yellow-brown pigment in the lens that reduces transmission of light to the retina at the back of the eye diagnosis is by an eye examination