This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Aetiology

Authoring team

Causes of cataract include: (1)

  • old age (senile cataract) - caused by gradual build up of yellow-brown pigment within the lens resulting in reduced light transmission
  • secondary to ocular disease:
    • glaucoma
    • degenerative
    • myopia
    • retinal detachment
  • metabolic and endocrine causes:
    • diabetes mellitus
    • galactosaemia
    • hypocalcaemia
    • hypoglycaemia
    • steroids
  • infective causes:
    • rubella
    • inflammation
  • physical causes:
    • trauma
    • radiotherapy
    • prolonged exposure to infra red rays e.g. glassblower's cataract
    • electric shock
  • genetic:
    • congenital in 1 in 250 neonates
    • myotonic dystrophy
    • Refsum's disease
    • Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome
    • hepatolenticular degeneration
  • toxic agents:
    • corticosteroids
    • phenothiazines
    • 2,4 DNP
    • tripanolol

Reference:

  1. Gupta VB, Rajagopala M, Ravishankar B. Etiopathogenesis of cataract: an appraisal. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2014 Feb;62(2):103-10

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.