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Most people get cataracts because of aging. You may hear doctors call these senile cataracts or age-related cataracts.

But there are other causes, too. Here are some examples.

You can get cataracts because of health problems and the treatments for them. Doctors call these secondary cataracts. Some health problems and treatments that can cause secondary cataracts are given below.

• Having surgery for other eye problems. For example, you can get cataracts after surgery for glaucoma.
• Having diabetes. People who have diabetes often get cataracts at a younger age than others. To read more, see Cataracts and diabetes.
• Taking steroids. Some health problems are treated with drugs called steroids. Getting cataracts has been linked to taking these drugs for long periods.

Rarely, babies are born with cataracts or get them at a very young age. These are called congenital cataracts. Sometimes they happen if the baby's mother had an infection while she was pregnant. For example, she might have had rubella.

You can get cataracts if you hurt your eye. But the cataracts might not show up until years later. These are sometimes called traumatic cataracts.

Rarely, people get cataracts if they come into contact with certain types of radiation. For example, this could be the kind of radiation that comes from radiation therapy. Being near intense heat may also increase your chance of getting cataracts.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.