Can Young People Get Cataracts?

What Causes Early-Onset Cataracts?

Cataracts are a condition where the lens of the eye becomes clouded. Typically, the human eye lens has a lifespan of 60-70 years, which is why cataracts are commonly associated with old age. However, when cataracts appear at a young age, patients are often surprised.

In reality, cataracts can develop in any age group, including newborn babies. The eye lens is a living tissue, and while it generally deteriorates with age, it can also become diseased at a young age, leading to cataracts.

Can Cataracts Develop at a Young Age?

Cataract causes can be categorized into several groups. The first type is cataracts due to aging. While these cataracts typically occur after the age of 60, in some individuals, they can appear for no apparent reason after the age of 40.

There are also cases where a family history of early-onset cataracts exists, indicating a genetic predisposition. Apart from these, many eye diseases and eye injuries can lead to cataracts at any age, including in young people. These types of cataracts are not related to aging but are secondary to other eye diseases or trauma. They can occur in babies, children, young people, and at any age.

The third type of cataract is one that develops due to systemic diseases in the body, without any existing eye disease. For example, cataracts can occur due to sudden spikes in blood sugar in diabetic patients or as a result of other metabolic or hormonal diseases. Particularly in cataract patients under the age of 40 with no family history, an internal medicine examination and blood tests should be conducted to check for systemic diseases.

Cataracts Due to Cortisone Use

Cortisone, although a natural part of our body, is an indispensable drug in the treatment of many immunological and allergic diseases. However, among its many side effects, it can cause cataracts and glaucoma. Especially long-term use of cortisone tablets can lead to a specific type of cataract. Long-term use of cortisone eye drops can also increase eye pressure.

Types of Cataracts

• Senile cataract,
• Familial cataracts,
• Congenital cataracts,
• Traumatic cataracts,
• Cataracts secondary to other eye diseases (e.g., uveitis),
• Cataracts due to systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes),
• Cataracts due to cortisone use.

Can Young People Undergo Cataract Surgery?

If cataracts impair vision, surgery is the only treatment at any age. The cloudy lens is removed by dissolving it and replaced with a new plastic intraocular lens. This lens functions in the eye for life.

In young people, smart lenses, EDOF lenses, monofocal lenses, or monofocal+ lenses can be used depending on the condition of the eye. The most crucial aspect for young patients is that they have a long life expectancy ahead, so surgical techniques that do not damage the eye and the highest quality materials should be preferred. Lens selection should be made with the assumption that the lenses will remain in the eye for 40-50 years.

Is Cataract Surgery Difficult in Young People?

Cataract surgery does not pose additional challenges if the cataract is not due to another eye disease, if there are no other problems, or if the case is not very advanced. However, a condition known as posterior capsule opacification, which is expected to occur 2-3 years after cataract surgery, tends to appear much sooner in younger individuals. This condition, commonly referred to as lens clouding, can be easily corrected with a one-minute YAG laser procedure in a clinic, so it does not pose a significant issue.

Can Smart Lenses Be Implanted in Young People?

Under normal circumstances, smart lenses are not used in young individuals to eliminate the need for glasses; instead, laser eye surgeries (LASIK) are preferred. However, if the purpose is not to eliminate glasses but to treat an existing cataract, the situation is different. The decision to use trifocal smart lenses or other smart lenses depends on the underlying condition causing the cataract. If there is astigmatism, it should be corrected with toric lenses. The suitability of smart lenses is determined based on the condition causing the cataract.