Does he have cataracts?

Question

I think my granddad has Cataracts. :( I need to know for certain if it can pass on in genes and stuff and would my mum get it when she is older and can it pass onto people like who he lives with and stuff. My grandma doesn't have it. I know for a fact that you can get cataracts over the age of 65 and my granddad is 75. His eye has gone grey/blue and sort of like when you are looking into a dog's eye at night. I'm really worried about him. Please help.

If this helps: He smokes, he doesn't really have a healthy balanced diet (he loves fish).

Answer 1

The best thing to do is to get Granddad to go and get his eyes tested.

They will see if he has got cataracts.

I don't think it's genetic but if he is diabetic he could have cataracts(which would have been noted upon retinal screening for diabetic patients)

No it isn't contagious.

It might simply be Arcus senilis which is a greyish or whitish arc or circle visible around the peripheral part of the cornea in many older adults.

It typically is not associated with a serious underlying condition and doesn't require treatment.

Answer 2

Smokers are more likely to get cataracts, Take a look at these pages to understand about them more.

http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/c...

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/Mosby...

Answer 3

Congenital cataracts can predispose people of the same family to develop cataracts at an earlier age.  However, that is only one type/cause of cataracts.  Other causes can be exposure to ultraviolet light, hypertension, diabetes, use of corticosteroids (for inflammation), eye injuries/trauma, certain types of jobs like flying, etc.  Senile cataracts are common (though wikipedia's page on the condition doesn't say how common).  Cataracts are not contagious, but if people who have not yet developed cataracts have the same lifestyle conditions & risks, they may also develop them.

There is surgery for cataracts that may help to stave off blindness or other problems arising from cataracts.