Table of contents:
- Isn't cataract only affecting the elderly?
- The reason why cataracts can strike at a young age
- Recognizing the symptoms of cataracts at a young age
When you were young, you might not have worried much about the risk of cataracts. The reason is, cataracts usually attack people who are elderly. However, apparently young people can also get cataracts, you know. Although there are not as many cases of cataracts in people over 60 years, cataracts at a young age should be watched out.
Duh, how can cataracts attack young people? Like what are the symptoms of cataracts at a young age that should be considered? The full explanation is below.
Isn't cataract only affecting the elderly?
Cataracts do not only affect the elderly. This disease occurs because the eye lens is damaged. The cause of this damage is a build-up or clumps of certain proteins that block the lens of your eye. As a result, your vision becomes blurry and blurry.
In most cases, this does happen with age. At the age of 40 or 50 years you may already feel mild vision problems due to cataracts. Only later in the 60s will the disorder become so serious that you need medical attention.
However, cataracts can also occur for the first time since you were 30 years old. This phenomenon of cataracts at a young age is also known as early onset cataract. So, anyone should watch out for cataracts. Including young people who are in their peak productive period.
The reason why cataracts can strike at a young age
According to experts, there are several things that can trigger cataracts when you are young. Check out the various risk factors below.
- Traumatic injury to the eye or head area
- Have had certain eye diseases
- Have diabetes, especially uncontrolled
- Take corticostreoid medications
- There is a history early onset cataract in the family (descendants)
- Have hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Frequent exposure to direct sunlight
- Long-term exposure to radiation from radar or electromagnetic waves (for example due to work in factories or air traffic control towers)
- Smoking habit
However, sometimes cataracts can appear at a young age without an obvious cause. According to experts, this could be caused by excessive use of electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, or watching too much television. However, experts still need further research to prove the risk factors for cataracts from seeing too often a bright screen device.
Recognizing the symptoms of cataracts at a young age
In the early stages, the appearance of cataracts is often not realized. You may still be able to see clearly during the day, even when you check your eyes to the doctor. So if you have trigger factors as mentioned above, it's good to note the following various symptoms of cataracts at a young age.
- Reduced vision at night
- Vision is blurred when the light around you is too bright
- The colors you see appear paler than usual
- Bright white halos appear in your view
- Not strong enough to see the glare
- Your vision turns yellow or brown
If you experience any of these symptoms, see an ophthalmologist immediately. The sooner you detect and treat cataracts, the better your chances are to delay and control the symptoms so they don't get worse.
