Cataracts are not exclusive to the elderly, people of all ages should be careful!

When it comes to cataracts, many people have the impression that those who suffer from this disease are either grandparents or the old neighbors downstairs. Over time, they develop an inherent concept that "only the elderly can get cataracts, and young people basically have no risk of this." However, it turns out that this idea is a bit rash.

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01

Although senile cataract is the most common

But it's not the only

Cataract refers to any congenital or acquired factors that cause degenerative changes in the optical quality of the lens. Its pathogenesis is complex and is related to multiple factors such as nutrition, metabolism, environment and genetics. It is the result of the long-term combined effects of various factors inside and outside the body on the lens. Although senile cataract is the most common type, there are many other types of cataracts, involving a wide range of people.

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02

The many types of cataracts

In addition to senile cataracts, cataracts can also be divided into the following types according to different pathogenesis:

(1) Congenital cataract: Cataracts that exist before or after birth or gradually develop after birth are related to congenital genetic or developmental disorders. Depending on the morphology of the cataract and the degree of impact on vision, regular follow-up or surgical treatment can be performed.

(2) Concurrent cataract: cataract caused by other eye diseases, such as corneal ulcer, glaucoma, uveitis, retinal detachment, intraocular tumor, high myopia, etc.

(3) Metabolic cataract: Cataract caused by systemic metabolic diseases. Among them, diabetic cataract is the most common, and there are also galactose cataract, tetany cataract, etc. In addition to drug or surgical treatment of cataracts, the treatment of systemic metabolic diseases is also very important.

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(4) Drug-induced and toxic cataracts: Long-term use or exposure to drugs or chemicals that are toxic to the lens can lead to lens opacity. More than 50 substances with different structures have been discovered so far. Common drugs include corticosteroids, chlorpromazine, anti-tumor drugs, miotics, and contraceptives, and chemicals include benzene and its compounds, naphthalene, and metals.

(5) Traumatic cataract: Cataract caused by trauma such as blunt trauma, penetrating trauma, chemical injury and electrical shock.

(6) Radiation cataract: mainly includes ionizing radiation cataract (including X-ray, gamma ray and neutron radiation, etc.), infrared linear cataract, microwave cataract, etc. In addition, high doses of ultraviolet radiation can induce acute cataracts.

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It can be seen that people of different ages may suffer from cataracts, which can cause visual impairment, and it is not just the elderly who will suffer from it. If you feel that you or your family members have vision loss, you must go to a regular medical institution in time for treatment. Don't be careless and miss the best time for treatment. It would be a pity to delay the disease.

Author | Bo Ling, deputy chief physician of ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University

Review | Jia Changkai, deputy chief physician, Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University

This article is produced by the "Science Rumor Refutation Platform" (ID: Science_Facts). Please indicate the source when reprinting.

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