I had to have catract and found from the eye doctor, it isn't an elderly disease -- even babies get it -- for some reason people associate with the elderly -- I was shocked when I was told I needed the surgery and I was a lot under 60 at the time -- I think mine was inherited, since my mother, my grandfather, my great-grandmother, and a lot of other relatives have had to have it done.
So no, catracts don't mean your elderly, it just means you have a problem the eye doctors can fix nowdays.
As for being elderly, some place says 60, some say 50's, so I think it is more what we think or how we can use the age to our benefit. If McDonald's will give me a lower price at 50, then I'll take it.
This is from a woman who was born in 1945 and lives in a low-income place for elderly people, plus who has been crippled all of her life and now uses a walker. Inside I see myself as someone in their 20's! Not the person other people see me as.
Donna Werhan
donnaw@kans.com