Which factor is NOT linked to the development of cataracts?

Cataracts are opacifications of the lens of the eye, and several factors contribute to their development. Age is the most significant risk factor, as the likelihood of developing cataracts increases with advancing age due to cumulative changes in the lens. Environmental exposure, particularly to ultraviolet (UV) light, can also contribute to the formation of cataracts, highlighting the impact of external factors on ocular health.

Genetics plays a role as well, with a family history of cataracts being linked to a higher risk of developing them. Therefore, options related to age, environmental exposure, and genetics are all associated with the development of cataracts.

Gender, while it may have some influence in terms of prevalence or the timing of cataract development, is not considered a direct risk factor in the same way as the others. Hence, it is not closely linked to the actual biological processes that lead to cataract formation. Gender differences in cataract occurrence are often attributed to factors like hormonal changes or societal influences rather than intrinsic risk. This distinction is why it is identified as the factor not linked to the development of cataracts.