Presenile is the development of cataract before the age of 50 years. Cataract is the opacification of the crystalline lens and or its capsule. Cataract is the major cause of blindness in the both developing and developed countries. There are various causes for development of presenile cataract. Some of the risk factors are ocular trauma, environmental factors, like, prolonged exposure to sunlight, uncontrolled diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, cigarette smoking for prolonged periods, intake of certain drugs for prolong period, high myopia, etc.

Aims and Objectives: (1) To determine various types of presenile cataract. (2) To determine the common causes of presenile cataract.

Methods and Materials: Outdoor patients attending at the apex centre of north Bengal who are found to have presenile cataract and who gave consent to participate in the observational study, requested to fill the questionnaire and undergo a complete ocular examinations. The type of cataract and any cause of the cataract formation identified from the questionnaire, examination or investigations done are documented analysed using frequency distribution.

Results: 100 eyes of 59 patients were included in the study. The most common type of cataract was found to be posterior sub capsular cataract. The common causes identified were prolonged sunlight exposure, use of corticosteroids for prolong bleed period, chronic uveitis, smoking, etc.

Conclusion: Protection from sunlight exposure, adequate control of diabetes, avoidance of use of steroids, avoidance of cigarette smoking, proper management of uveitis help to prevent development of presenile cataract.

Keywords: Presenile, Cataract.

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Dr Malabika Debbarma

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