What is the right age to get LASIK?
Patients must be older than 18 years of age to have LASIK. In addition, they must have a stable refraction (the number that is used to measure the power of glasses or contacts). If both of these criteria are met, there is no “wrong” age to have Lasik. Reports have indicated that a growing number of people age 45 and older are having Lasik and other refractive procedures to reduce the need for reading glasses.
What causes Cataracts?
Most cataracts are simply due to age-related changes in the Lens of an eye. However, there are a number of other conditions/factors that contribute to the development of cataracts.
Diabetes– Unfortunately, individuals with diabetes develop cataracts more frequently and earlier in life.
Medications– Certain medications are known to cause cataracts. One of the biggest culprits here is corticosteroids. While many of us have never taken corticosteroids, they are used heavily in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Rheumatoid arthritis, and various other inflammatory and infectious conditions.
Other medications that lead to the formation of cataracts include chlorpromazine and other phenothiazine medications.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation– Unprotected exposure to UV radiation can lead to cataracts. It’s a good idea to always keep those eyes protected!
Trauma– Sharp trauma (entry into the eye) and blunt trauma can both lead to cataracts. Even something as seemingly harmless as “eye rubbing” has been shown to cause the early development of certain cataracts.
Smoking– There is a significant association between smoking and the development of cataracts. Just more reason to quit.
Alcohol– Studies have shown that patients with higher alcohol consumption have an increase in cataract formation compared with patients with lower or no alcohol consumption.
Dr Vish 