# What Causes Cataract at a Young Age?

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/blog/eye-diseases/what-causes-cataract-at-a-young-age

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Date:** 2026-09-15

> **Summary:** Cataract usually appears in older people and becomes more common after the age of 55-60, but it can also develop at a young age or be present from birth. Young-onset cataract is caused mainly by congenital and genetic factors, diabetes, medication and other conditions, and it is treated the same way as ordinary cataract: by surgery that replaces the clouded lens.

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## What is Cataract?
Cataract is a build-up of protein in the eye's natural lens. The lens gradually loses its transparency and its ability to transmit light, so vision quality drops. At a young age it can be congenital or genetic, and environmental factors, sunlight, radiation and heavy substance use can also lead to it.

## Symptoms of Cataract at a Young Age
- Declining night vision
- Strong sensitivity to light and glare
- Headache and eye strain
- Difficulty driving
- Starting to see better at near without glasses
- Difficulty reading books and newspapers or using a computer or phone
- Needing more light
- Blurred vision
- Colours looking duller and more faded
- Difficulty seeing at distance and at near
- A constantly changing prescription

If one or more symptoms appear, an early examination by a doctor matters.

## Diagnosis
Early diagnosis prevents further problems; if treatment is left too late, sight can be lost entirely. Because some symptoms also occur in other eye conditions, a specialist ophthalmologist should make the diagnosis. Special instruments measure eye pressure, examine the lens and image the inside of the eye.

## Causes of Cataract at a Young Age
- Genetic predisposition (more frequent with a family history of cataract)
- Congenital cataract
- Diabetes
- Uveitis
- Medication use, especially long-term corticosteroids, which should only be used under medical supervision
- Trauma, radiotherapy and metabolic disease
- High myopia
- Down's syndrome

Diabetes clearly increases cataract risk, and in people with both conditions they advance more quickly. Untreated young-onset cataract can lead to serious eye problems by a person's forties.

## Prevention
Lifestyle and environmental risk factors:
- Being overweight or obese
- Heavy smoking and alcohol consumption
- Excessive sun exposure
- Radiation exposure

Precautions:
- A healthy, regular diet rich in vitamin C and antioxidants
- Reaching a healthy weight
- Reducing or stopping alcohol and tobacco
- Protecting the eyes from direct sunlight

## Treatment
Surgery is the only definitive treatment: no medication or eye drop can stop or reverse cataract, so surgery is chosen once quality of life is seriously affected.
- The damaged lens is removed and an individually chosen intraocular lens is fitted.
- The operation takes about 15-20 minutes per eye on average and must take place in a fully sterile environment with an experienced surgeon.
- Burning, stinging and watering afterwards are normal; patients return to normal life within a few days.
- No water should touch the eye for the first few days, direct sunlight should be avoided, and follow-up appointments should be attended.