Your Sight Matters
Find a Location
  • Healthy Vision
    • Comprehensive Eye Exams
    • Diabetes and Eye Care
    • Protect Your Vision
    • Eye Health FAQs
  • Cataracts
    • What Is a Cataract?
    • Cataract Symptoms
    • What Causes Cataracts?
    • Preventing Cataracts
    • How Do I Treat Cataracts?
    • What is the Cost of Cataract Surgery?
    • Questions to Ask Your Cataract Surgeon
  • Glaucoma
    • What is Glaucoma?
    • How Do I Treat Glaucoma?
  • Eye Conditions
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Dystrophy
    • Corneal Infections
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Droopy Eyelids (Ptosis)
    • Dry Eye
    • Keratoconus
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Periocular Skin Cancer
    • Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
    • Refractive Errors (Vision Problems)
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Surfer’s Eye (Pterygium)
  • Eye Procedures
    • Blepharoplasty – Eyelid Revision Procedures
    • Cataract Surgery
    • Corneal Transplants
    • LASIK
    • Refractive Lensectomy
    • Vitrectomy
    • YAG Laser Procedure
  • News

What Causes Cataracts?

Cataracts develop as you age. The older you are, the greater the risk. Over the age of 70, almost everyone has some clouding in the eye lens. Cataracts form when protein builds up in the eye lens, causing vision to become hazy or cloudy. Some inherited genetic disorders that cause other health problems can increase your risk of cataracts. Cataracts can also be caused by other eye conditions, past eye surgery/injury or medical conditions such as diabetes. Other lifestyle factors that increase your risk of cataracts include:

  • Excessive exposure to sunlight
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure
  • Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications
  • Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol

Find a Physician

Schedule your eye appointment today and be on your way to better vision!

Find A Location
Find a Physician

Test your knowledge on the Cataracts Myth vs Fact Quiz

Take The Quiz

Request an Appointment

Your Sight Matters
Cataracts Glaucoma Latest News

Test your Knowledge: Cataracts Myth vs Fact Quiz

Take The Quiz
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

© AMSURG 2025