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Eye Care (Expert Forum)
cataract causes?
Answered by
Michael J Kutryb, MD - Ophthalmology, Cataract Surgery, glaucoma, Laser Vision Correct
Kutryb Eye Institute - Titusville
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
cataract causes?
by FredZq, Oct 27, 2007 03:01AM
Hi,
I'm a retired pilot--aged 62--and a cataract has developed in my left eye, and to much lesser extent in right eye. Wondering if this more common in pilots because of UV exposure? I always wore my AF issue shades when flying (turboporop altitudes 18-25,000 feet mostly) or skiing.
Did grow up in Central Calif where the sun shines almost every day from May through October and nobody bought of sunglasses for kids back then. Also have grey-green eyes color.
Maybe more developed in left eye because sit next to window in drivers seat of car and left seat of airplane? GI sunglasses don't have any side protection, and you need peripheral vision anyway.
Finally, how about all the newer vehicles that have generally convex windows front and back? Seems like these cars in traffic ahead are beaming suns rays directly in your eyes when the sun's high in the sky. Is this suspected of potentially causing eye problems "down the road", so to speak.
Thanks, this is a wonderful forum.
I'm a retired pilot--aged 62--and a cataract has developed in my left eye, and to much lesser extent in right eye. Wondering if this more common in pilots because of UV exposure? I always wore my AF issue shades when flying (turboporop altitudes 18-25,000 feet mostly) or skiing.
Did grow up in Central Calif where the sun shines almost every day from May through October and nobody bought of sunglasses for kids back then. Also have grey-green eyes color.
Maybe more developed in left eye because sit next to window in drivers seat of car and left seat of airplane? GI sunglasses don't have any side protection, and you need peripheral vision anyway.
Finally, how about all the newer vehicles that have generally convex windows front and back? Seems like these cars in traffic ahead are beaming suns rays directly in your eyes when the sun's high in the sky. Is this suspected of potentially causing eye problems "down the road", so to speak.
Thanks, this is a wonderful forum.
Doctor's Answer
by Michael J Kutryb, MD, Oct 27, 2007 01:43PM
, Oct 27, 2007 01:43PM
To: FredZq
You raise an interesting point about the uv exposure. One of my friends is a pilot and in the past he usually sat in the co-pilot seat where he got more rays on the right side of his face. He developed an early stage melanona on that right side of his face and we thought about the same thing you have. I really can't give you a true answer regarding either skin cancer or cataracts in this situation. There might be some cause and effect relationship but I have no data to prove it. It seems to me that it might not be just the usual uv rays that get you so much as other rays like x-rays etc. Interestingly you don't seem to come back from flights with a sunburn - so it's more complicated that we think.
As far as the cataract - I've seen plenty of everday people with no military duty, no flying, no excessive sun exposure, who have developed big cataracts. There are many factors involved including trauma, genetics, diet, medications, etc. At 62 years old, you're not doing too bad. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just find an excellent cataract surgeon and you might find you will get vision better than you imagined - possibly the best of your life in some situations.
Regarding car windows - I find it's the pickup truck with vertical back windows that get me. Not much we can do about it though except possible non reflective windows developed by car companies?
MJK MD
As far as the cataract - I've seen plenty of everday people with no military duty, no flying, no excessive sun exposure, who have developed big cataracts. There are many factors involved including trauma, genetics, diet, medications, etc. At 62 years old, you're not doing too bad. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just find an excellent cataract surgeon and you might find you will get vision better than you imagined - possibly the best of your life in some situations.
Regarding car windows - I find it's the pickup truck with vertical back windows that get me. Not much we can do about it though except possible non reflective windows developed by car companies?
MJK MD
