What are some things that contribute to the development of cataracts as we get older?

Long term exposure to UV light is a significant one. Long-term use of steroids such as prednisone in the treatment of systemic diseases (e.g. arthritis) can cause a rather quick onset of a specialized type of cataract (regardless of age). Certain metabolic diseases can also significantly increase one's risk of developing cataract.

But by far the overwhelmingly greatest contributor is simply age, no matter one's overall state of health. Rather than a disease or skim-like tumor, "cataract" is simply the historical term used to describe the latter stages of age-related degeneration of the natural lens of the eye. In this sense, asking what contributes to developing a "cataract" is really like wanting to know what contributes to developing "gray hair." One can certainly ask the question, but it tends to misinterpret the actual process of what we refer to as a cataract.

Written by J. Trevor Woodhams, M.D. - Chief of Surgery, Woodhams Eye Clinic