6 Causes of Cataracts in Children, One of them is Diabetes!

Cataracts prevent light rays from passing through the lens and focusing on the retina. The retina is a layer of tissue at the back of the eye that is sensitive to light. Cataracts in children can occur when the proteins that make up the lens become cloudy. This affects your child's vision.

Because cataracts are rare in children. They can affect one eye or both eyes. Some cataracts are small and do not cause problems with vision. Other, more progressive cataracts can cause vision problems in children. The following are the types of cataracts in children and their causes.

Types of cataracts in children

Most cataracts in adults occur due to aging. Children may have other types of cataracts. Here are the types of cataracts in children:

• Congenital cataract. Some babies are born with cataracts or get them in childhood. It often occurs in both eyes. This type of cataract may not affect your child's vision. Those that affect vision often need to be removed.
• Secondary cataract. This cataract is formed due to a disease. These can include diabetes or eye problems. In some cases, medications such as steroids can cause this type of cataract.
• Traumatic cataract. Cataracts can also occur due to eye injuries. They can occur right after your child's eye is injured. Or they can happen years later.
• Radiation cataract. Some cataracts begin after exposure to certain types of radiation.

Causes of cataracts in children

A child may be born with cataracts (congenital). Or it may develop at a later date. The following are the causes of cataracts in children:

• Injury
• Diabetes
• Use of steroids
• Complications from other eye diseases, such as glaucoma

Most cataracts in children occur in conjunction with other eye or health problems. This type of cataract may be from genetic factors. These can include metabolic disorders caused by inherited enzyme deficiencies. Cataracts can also occur due to chromosomal problems.

Those are some things you must know regarding the types of cataracts in children, and the causes of cataracts in your children.