Cataracts are most commonly associated with which factors?

Cataracts are most commonly associated with which factors?

• A. Aging and medications such as corticosteroids
• B. Acute infections
• C. Vitamin deficiency only
• D. Excessive screen time

Answer: (A)

Cataracts form mainly as part of the aging process. With age, proteins in the lens can denature and aggregate, causing the lens to become cloudy and impair vision. Corticosteroid use is a well-known factor that increases the risk of developing cataracts, particularly posterior subcapsular cataracts, due to changes in lens cell metabolism and protein organization from the medication. The other options don’t fit the typical cause: acute infections don’t produce cataracts, vitamin deficiencies aren’t a common driver, and excessive screen time has not been shown to cause cataracts.

Cataracts form mainly as part of the aging process. With age, proteins in the lens can denature and aggregate, causing the lens to become cloudy and impair vision. Corticosteroid use is a well-known factor that increases the risk of developing cataracts, particularly posterior subcapsular cataracts, due to changes in lens cell metabolism and protein organization from the medication. The other options don’t fit the typical cause: acute infections don’t produce cataracts, vitamin deficiencies aren’t a common driver, and excessive screen time has not been shown to cause cataracts.