Think cataracts only affect older people? Most people do, which is why they don’t often think about cataracts until vision changes start interfering with everyday life. They might start leaving events before it gets too dark because “I can’t see well at night.” Or they max out the font size on their phone just to read clearly.
Gradual vision changes are a part of getting older, but in some cases, cataracts may also be contributing to blurry vision, glare, or trouble seeing clearly. At True Eye Care, we’ll help you understand the causes of cataract eye disease and how to catch changes early to protect your long-term vision.
What Causes Cataract Eye Disease?
Cataracts develop when the natural lens inside the eye becomes cloudy. The lens is normally clear and helps focus light onto the retina. As proteins in the lens begin to break down and clump together, vision becomes less sharp—like looking through a fogged-up window.
According to the National Eye Institute, aging is the most common cause of cataracts. “After age 40, the proteins in the lens of your eye naturally start to break down.”
Over time, those protein changes make it harder for light to pass cleanly through the lens. This process usually happens gradually, which is why many people don’t notice symptoms until cataracts affect daily activities like reading, driving, and working on screens.
What Are the Early Signs of Cataracts?
One reason people search “what causes cataract eye disease” is because they’ve started noticing vision changes that don’t feel normal anymore.
Common cataract symptoms include:
- Blurry or cloudy vision
- Increased glare, especially while driving at night (Living in Denver, you might notice glare more intensely during snowy months when sunlight reflects off bright surfaces.)
- Faded or yellowed colors
- Light sensitivity
- Frequent changes in vision prescriptions
You might not notice any vision changes at all in the early stages of cataracts, but left untreated, cataracts will eventually affect vision.
Who Is Most at Risk for Cataracts?
Age (after 40) remains the biggest risk factor, but certain medical conditions and habits can speed up cataract development.
You may be more at risk if:
You Have Diabetes
Elevated blood sugar levels can affect the lens and increase the likelihood of earlier cataract formation. We cover this in more detail in our article about how diabetes increases your risk of cataracts.
You Live at a High Altitude
Live in the Mile High City? This applies to you. Johns Hopkins notes that “Recent studies have shown that people who live in high altitudes may be more at risk of having cataracts.”
You Get Too Much Sun
UV exposure is especially important to consider here in Colorado. Between our high altitude and the number of sunny days, your eyes are exposed to intense sunlight. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends wearing sunglasses “that promise 100% UV protection from all types of UV light.” Along with sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats and limiting prolonged exposure during high UV index days also help protect your eyes.
You Smoke or Drink Heavily
Smoking increases oxidative stress in the eye, which can damage the proteins inside the lens and speed up cataract development. Heavy alcohol use has also been associated with a higher cataract risk, especially when combined with other factors like aging, poor diet, or excessive sun exposure.
You’ve Had Previous Eye Injuries or Use Corticosteroids
Eye injuries can damage the lens directly, even if the trauma happened years earlier. Cataracts may also develop after certain eye surgeries or long-term use of corticosteroid medications, including steroid eye drops, pills, or inhalers. Since steroids are commonly used to manage inflammation and chronic health conditions, it’s important to monitor vision changes during extended use.
You Have a Family History of Cataracts
Genetics can influence both when cataracts develop and how quickly they progress. If cataracts run in your family, regular eye exams become even more important for catching subtle changes before they begin affecting daily life.
Can Cataracts Be Prevented?
You can’t completely prevent age-related cataracts, but there are ways to lower your risk and potentially slow progression:
- Wear UV-protective sunglasses
- Manage diabetes and other health conditions
- Avoid smoking
- Reduce or avoid alcohol use
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Get regular eye exams
Routine eye exams help detect cataracts and other eye conditions at their earliest stages, before vision problems affect your daily life. It’s especially important if you’re over 40 or have any of the risk factors we mentioned above.
How Are Cataracts Treated?
Early cataracts can sometimes be managed temporarily with updated glasses prescriptions, brighter lighting, or anti-glare lenses. Eventually, though, cataracts interfere enough with daily activities that surgery becomes the most effective option.
Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). According to Johns Hopkins, cataract surgery is one of the most common, safe, and effective surgeries performed in the U.S.
If surgery becomes necessary, our True Eye Care team also works closely with patients through the referral and recovery process. Learn more in our article about cataract co-management. You won’t notice the new lens; it becomes a part of your eye just like your old lens, and most people notice significantly clearer vision after recovery.
When to Schedule an Eye Exam
If you’ve been wondering what causes cataract eye disease, or you’ve noticed some concerning vision changes, it’s worth getting your eyes evaluated sooner rather than later.
Many vision changes happen so gradually that it’s difficult to notice them day to day. People often adapt without realizing how much their vision has changed until they compare one eye to the other or struggle with activities that used to feel effortless. An eye exam gives you a clearer picture of what’s actually causing those changes and whether cataracts may be involved.
Book an appointment with True Eye Care to understand what’s happening with your vision and what steps to take moving forward.
