No. Although the majority of cataracts occur in the elderly, they can occur in much younger people too.

For example, people with diabetes might develop cataracts younger.

Additionally, cataracts can form as a result of severe trauma to the lens through drugs, inflammation or injury.

In rare cases a baby may be born with a cataract, due to a genetic disorder such as Down Syndrome, which is easily corrected by replacing the cloud lens with a new one, usually without complication.