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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffEveryone is at risk of developing cataracts simply because age is the greatest risk factor. By age 65 about half of all Americans have developed some degree of lens clouding, although it may not impair vision. After age 75, as many as 70 percent of Americans have cataracts that are significant enough to impair their vision.
Factors that increase your risk of cataracts include:
- Age
- Diabetes
- Family history of cataracts
- Previous eye injury or inflammation
- Previous eye surgery
- Prolonged use of corticosteroids
- Excessive exposure to sunlight
- Exposure to ionizing radiation
- Smoking
