# Only 36 but I have cataracts - anyone else young? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 24, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429 "2015-09-24T21:05:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Pinkharts9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Pinkharts9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pinkharts9)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/1 "2015-09-24T21:05:29Z")
I’m new here & I hope it’s ok to post about anything. When I googled for people discussing cataracts it took me right to this website. 🙂 I’m only 36 & was told I have cataracts in each eye. I assumed because I’m young & I’m struggling a bit with light that I had subcapsular cataracts. But the Dr. told me today he saw nuclear cataracts. I’m confused because I thought only older people got those. I guess I’m just wondering if other youngins have had cataracts, particularly the nuclear kind. And have you had surgery? It’s possibly mine were growing for awhile because I hadn’t had an eye exam in 10 years. My Dr. doesn’t think they’re a problem right now but I’m seeing a lot of glare & halos with light sources, especially at night. And sunlight & the tv & even my computer are bothering me at times. Is this normal with cataracts? Thanks for listening. I’m so worried about having major eyesight issues at my age already. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/2 "2015-09-24T21:42:18Z")
> [@Pinkharts9](#): > > I’m new here & I hope it’s ok to post about anything. When I googled for people discussing cataracts it took me right to this website. 🙂 > > I’m only 36 & was told I have cataracts in each eye. I assumed because I’m young & I’m struggling a bit with light that I had subcapsular cataracts. But the Dr. told me today he saw nuclear cataracts. I’m confused because I thought only older people got those. > > I guess I’m just wondering if other youngins have had cataracts, particularly the nuclear kind. And have you had surgery? It’s possibly mine were growing for awhile because I hadn’t had an eye exam in 10 years. My Dr. doesn’t think they’re a problem right now but I’m seeing a lot of glare & halos with light sources, especially at night. And sunlight & the tv & even my computer are bothering me at times. Is this normal with cataracts? > > Thanks for listening. I’m so worried about having major eyesight issues at my age already. 😕 We used to be much more strict about asking about personal medical issues. It is currently allowed with the understanding that everyone is giving their opinion and personal anecdotes rather than medical advice you should act on. Since the answers are going to be opinions I’ll move this to the proper forum. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/3 "2015-09-24T22:49:29Z")
Did you take prednisone long-term? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/4 "2015-09-25T00:37:25Z")
One of my boyfrieds actually had a cataract _at birth_. He had surgery early in life and no subsequent problems of note. The OP is not the youngest person to have a cataract. They are treatable these days. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/5 "2015-09-25T01:29:07Z")
I’m 47 and was told I have cataracts a couple years ago. Really tiny ones in each eye, which I probably had for years (I’ve had small cloudy spots in my vision for a long time) and finally got big enough to be identified. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/6 "2015-09-25T06:03:32Z")
One study tested the [Chinese population in Singapore](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1771847/) for cataract: they tested those over 40. Nuclear cataracts generally occur to those over 60. But they do affect some in their 50s and even 40s. It happens. Table: [Table - PMC](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1771847/table/t2/) ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/7 "2015-09-25T07:46:03Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Did you take prednisone long-term? (nitpick: or any other oral steroid) Even the inhaled steroids are supposed to increase the risk of cataracts, though as my doctor pointed out, the benefit greatly outweighs the risk! A family friend was told she needed cataract surgery when she was in her mid 30s. I have lost touch with her so I don’t know whether she ever had it done. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/8 "2015-09-25T10:20:30Z")
I have a friend who’s currently 38. She had cataract surgery on both eyes (separately) 3 or 4 years ago. Super happy with the results, even now. ---
**Author:** ![Pinkharts9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Pinkharts9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pinkharts9)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/9 "2015-09-25T14:10:12Z")
Hey guys! Thanks so much for indulging me & replying to my post. 🙂 I did take prednisone as a child because I had cancer. I assume I took it for quite some time but I don’t remember. So maybe that was the cause, then? I don’t have other health issues so I was just a bit perplexed as to where I got these cataracts - especially since I was told they usually only happen in people over 65. If anyone else cares to weigh in, please do! I’m just a bit anxious at the moment. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/10 "2015-09-25T14:23:46Z")
Steroids can cause the issues with cataracts you mention. They cause a lot of side effects, but can be life-saving drugs without a better option. You might want to ask your doctor if there are any other issues you should be alert for. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/11 "2015-09-25T14:43:08Z")
I had cataract surgery in 2010, due to prednisone use. Both eyes done at the same time. It was not fun, but I was seeing clearly within hours of the surgery and only took one day off work. I was amazed at what I could see and how soon I recovered. [Here is the thread…](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=528676&highlight=cataract) ---
**Author:** ![Pinkharts9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Pinkharts9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pinkharts9)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/12 "2015-09-25T14:50:55Z")
Thanks, GrumpyBunny. I guess I didn’t realize that taking steroids from age 5-8 could cause issues so many years later. But it makes sense. Yancey, may I ask how old you were when you had surgery? What kind of cataracts did you have? And what kind of IOL did you get? If you don’t mind answering, that is. And did you take steroids when you were younger or as an adult? Thanks so much. ---
**Author:** ![Pinkharts9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Pinkharts9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pinkharts9)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/13 "2015-09-25T15:20:17Z")
I just saw that you posted a link to another thread, Yancey. I will read that now. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/14 "2015-09-25T16:52:36Z")
I was 42 when I had the surgery, and the prednisone was taken as an adult. I opted for slight nearsightedness, so now I use glasses for computers and reading, but my distance vision is awesome! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/15 "2015-09-25T18:01:57Z")
That would actually be slight farsightedness, wouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Pinkharts9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Pinkharts9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pinkharts9)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/16 "2015-09-25T18:26:49Z")
I’m glad to hear you’re doing so well, Yancey! I’m guessing you selected monofocal IOLs then? I think I will do the same when the time comes. I don’t want to take a risk with the multifocal lenses as a lot of people seem to have issues with them. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/17 "2015-09-25T19:47:06Z")
Welcome to the Straight Dope, Pinkharts9. I was told that I had them in my 40’s. I’ve not noticed any detriment to my vision. How do they effect vision? ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2015, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/18 "2015-09-26T00:11:45Z")
I’m not sure how old I was when the eye doctor first noticed cataracts, but it was probably around 40 or so. I had nuclear sclerotic cataracts in both eyes plus a posterior polar cataract (presumably congenital, I don’t know) in one eye. By my early 50s, the visual impairment was significant. Ultimately I had monofocal IOLs (one eye for distance, one for reading). For me the surgery was a big deal, done under general anesthesia, because I have pathological myopia/retinal degeneration. I had to go through several rounds of laser treatment to repair retinal tears before the doctor would do the surgery. Despite all that, everything is great now! I can see better than I’ve been able to see in years. And since the procedure was medically necessary by the time I did it (my vision was severely compromised and even the strongest possible glasses/contacts couldn’t give me decent sight), it was all covered by insurance. Plus, I no longer need to fuss with contact lenses - something I give thanks for every morning. (I do wear glasses with a very light prescription if I need to drive at night - that’s it.) That’s all a long-winded way of saying that, if your experience is anything like mine (and from the sounds of it, it will be less dramatic), you can look forward to a good outcome. Wait until the cataracts start impairing your vision and insurance will pay for IOL, then just do it. For most people it’s an out-patient procedure. ---
**Author:** ![Pinkharts9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Pinkharts9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pinkharts9)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2015, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/19 "2015-09-26T03:06:23Z")
Thanks CairoCarol! I’m sorry to hear about your other eye issues but I’m so glad you are doing well now! 🙂 So you did one distance lens & one for reading & your eyes adjusted ok? I’m guessing I’ve had these cataracts for awhile & they only discovered them now because I’m having symptoms. No one has looked in my eye for at least 10 years so I’m sure they’ve been growing. I’m not a doctor, but that’s what I think! Plus nuclear cataracts don’t usually give you symptoms for years & so that pretty much indicates they were there for awhile. I’m being a big baby but I’m so very scared of something going wrong or that I’ll pick the wrong IOLs & be stuck. But I do appreciate your response so much! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2015, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429/20 "2015-09-26T04:31:49Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Welcome to the Straight Dope, Pinkharts9. > I was told that I had them in my 40’s. I’ve not noticed any detriment to my vision. How do they effect vision? Do you notice a lot of glare around lights, like around headlights at night? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-36-but-i-have-cataracts-anyone-else-young/732429.md?page=2)