Editing Cataract (section)

===Radiation===
Cataracts can arise as an effect of exposure to various types of radiation. X-rays, one form of [[Radiobiology|ionizing radiation]], may damage the DNA of lens cells.<ref name = "Lipman1988">{{cite journal | vauthors = Lipman RM, Tripathi BJ, Tripathi RC | title = Cataracts induced by microwave and ionizing radiation | journal = Survey of Ophthalmology | volume = 33 | issue = 3 | pages = 200–210 | year = 1988 | pmid = 3068822 | doi = 10.1016/0039-6257(88)90088-4 }}</ref> Ultraviolet light, specifically [[UVB]], has also been shown to cause cataracts, and some evidence indicates sunglasses worn at an early age can slow its development in later life.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sliney DH | title = UV radiation ocular exposure dosimetry | journal = Documenta Ophthalmologica. Advances in Ophthalmology | volume = 88 | issue = 3–4 | pages = 243–254 | year = 1994 | pmid = 7634993 | doi = 10.1007/bf01203678 | s2cid = 8242055 }}</ref> [[microwave#Effects on health|Microwave]]s, a type of [[nonionizing radiation]], may cause harm by denaturing protective enzymes (e.g., [[glutathione peroxidase]]), by oxidizing [[Cysteine|protein thiol]] groups (causing [[protein aggregation]]), or by damaging lens cells via thermoelastic expansion.<ref name = "Lipman1988" /> The protein coagulation caused by electric and heat injuries whitens the lens.<ref name="yanoff" /> This same process is what makes the clear albumen of an egg become white and opaque during cooking.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}