Table of Contents
Risk Factors
Aging is the primary risk factor for cataracts, but other factors are also involved.
Age
Nearly everyone who lives long enough will develop cataracts to some extent. Some people develop cataracts during their middle-aged years (40s and 50s), but these cataracts tend to be very small. It is after age 60 that cataracts are most likely to affect vision. Nearly half of people age 75 and older have cataracts.
Gender
Women face a higher risk than men.
Family History
Cataracts tend to run in families.
Race and Ethnicity
African-Americans appear to have nearly twice the risk of developing cataracts as Caucasians. This difference may be due to other medical illnesses, particularly diabetes. African-Americans are much more likely to become blind from cataracts and glaucoma than Caucasians, mostly due to lack of treatment.
Hispanic Americans are also at increased risk for cataracts. In fact, cataracts are the leading cause of visual impairment among Hispanics.
Glaucoma and Other Eye Conditions
Glaucoma. Glaucoma and its treatments, including certain drugs (notably miotics) and filtering surgery, pose a high risk for cataracts. The glaucoma drugs that can increase risk for cataracts include demecarium (Humorsol), isoflurophate (Floropryl), and echothiophate (Phospholine).
Myopia. People who are nearsighted (myopia) are at increased risk of developing cataracts.
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Review Date: 06/23/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
