Cataracts can be categorized into age-related, congenital, traumatic, metabolic or radiological cataracts according to their causes, which can cause damage to the lens.
1. Age-related cataracts: Age-related cataracts, also known as senile cataracts, are the most common type of cataracts because of the degenerative changes that occur in the aging lens, resulting in clouding of the lens. The incidence of age-related cataracts increases significantly with age, and a variety of risk factors, such as occupation, age, ultraviolet radiation, diabetes, hypertension, etc., can affect its development.
2. Congenital cataracts: Congenital cataracts can be present before or after birth or form gradually in the first year of life. They can be caused by genetic factors or environmental factors (e.g., rubella virus infection in the mother’s pregnancy, etc.).
3. Traumatic cataract: Traumatic cataract occurs when the eye is bluntly contused, perforated, or injured by an explosion, etc., which can cause the lens to become cloudy, thus forming a cataract.
4. Metabolic cataract: lens clouding can be caused by certain metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, hypocalcemia, galactokinase and other enzyme deficiencies.
5. Radioactive cataract: Ionizing radiation, infrared rays or microwaves can cause damage to the lens, resulting in clouding of the patient’s lens, thus radioactive cataract.
It is recommended that cataract patients seek timely medical attention to assess their condition and follow the doctor’s instructions for treatment.