Cataracts do not only affect older people. Eye injuries, smoking, certain illnesses and careless use of medicines can also cause the condition in young people.
The lens is a clear part of the eye that sits behind the iris and the pupil. When the lens becomes cloudy, light has trouble passing through, so the image reaching the retina is less sharp. People with cataracts may have blurred vision, glare, double vision in one eye, trouble seeing in low light or need to change glasses again and again. Age is still the most common cause, but in young people, the condition is often linked to the factors below.
Do phones and computers cause cataracts?
Looking at a screen for a long time can easily make the eyes tired and dry, sometimes blurry, along with headaches, which together are called computer vision syndrome. However, there is so far no evidence that blue light from phones or computers directly causes cataracts, so the two should not be confused.
Even so, young people should cut down on screen time, sit a reasonable distance from the screen in good light and rest their eyes regularly. You can follow the 20 - 20 - 20 rule: about every 20 minutes of close-up work, look at something roughly 6m (20 feet) away for 20 seconds.
Smoking, alcohol and diet
Smoking has been recognized as a factor that raises the risk of cataracts. Cigarette smoke contains substances that speed up oxidation and damage the structures of the eye, and the more and longer you smoke, the higher the risk. Quitting smoking therefore benefits your heart and lungs, lowers your cancer risk and also helps protect your eyes. Non-smokers should also avoid breathing in other people's smoke.
Drinking a lot of alcohol harms the whole body. As for coffee, there is currently no evidence that drinking it in normal amounts causes cataracts; just drink it in moderation and strictly avoid stimulants of unknown origin sold on the street.
A diet heavy in processed foods, sugar and fat but low in vegetables and fruit is poor in quality. Eat a varied, balanced diet so your body gets enough minerals, vitamins and the antioxidants found naturally in fresh food. However, no single food or vitamin can fully prevent the disease.
Using eye drops on your own and eye injuries
A worrying habit among young people is heading to the pharmacy to buy eye drops as soon as their eyes feel uncomfortable. Some eye drops, when used incorrectly or for too long, can lead to cataracts or raised eye pressure, or can hide or worsen an eye infection. So whenever your eyes have unusual symptoms that last, such as redness, itching, pain or blurred vision, see a doctor instead of buying medicine yourself.
Blows to the eye, sharp objects, foreign bodies or accidents at work and at home can all damage the lens. Clouding may appear right after the injury or develop quietly over time, so anyone who has had an eye injury should see a doctor and return for follow-up visits as advised.
Work environment and related conditions
Some jobs regularly expose the eyes to high heat, ultraviolet light, ionizing radiation, chemicals or physical impact. People who work in welding, mechanical engineering, metalworking, mining or places with radiation should follow workplace safety rules and wear suitable glasses and protective gear.
In addition, cataracts in young people may also be linked to diabetes, other eye conditions, previous eye surgery or long-term use of certain systemic medicines (those that act on the whole body). Not every case should be blamed on lifestyle or phone use.
Trusted clinic for cataracts in Ho Chi Minh City
Ky Hoa Medical Center has nearly 20 years of experience in medical care in Ho Chi Minh City, with a team of highly qualified doctors and a careful, transparent way of working. For cataracts, our Ophthalmology doctors take time to listen, examine carefully and explain clearly so that you fully understand your condition, then agree together on a treatment and follow-up plan.
The center operates under Operating License No. 00449/HCM-GPHĐ, with a list of medical techniques approved by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health (Decision 471/QĐ-SYT), and is a primary care facility contracted with Ho Chi Minh City Social Security, accepting health insurance (BHYT) visits on Saturdays as well. The practising certificates of our 24 doctors are published on our Doctors page.
When you notice gradually worsening blurry vision, glare, double vision in one eye or unusual changes in eyesight, both older adults and younger family members should have their eyes checked early. Ky Hoa Medical Center has an Ophthalmology department; simply walk in during opening hours and take a queue number, and a doctor will examine you and advise on protecting your eyesight.
Ky Hoa Medical Center
Address: 266A - 268 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 6:30 - 11:30 and 13:00 - 17:00 (closed on Sunday)
Hotline: 028.3868.1097
Source: Suc Khoe & Doi Song (Health & Life) newspaper