Is There Any Way to Prevent Cataracts?

While there is no scientific proof that you can prevent cataracts, there are certainly steps you can take to help reduce your risk factors.

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which can impair your vision. Cataracts affect nearly 22 million Americans age 40 and older. By age 80, more than half of all Americans have cataracts. According to Prevent Blindness America, there are more cases worldwide of cataracts than glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy combined.

No matter your age, there are steps you can take to help prevent cataracts or slow their development. Don't wait until your vision becomes affected to start thinking about cataracts. Read on to discover seven healthy tips you can tackle today!

Seven Tips for Preventing Cataracts

Studies are inconclusive on cataract prevention, though many doctors agree that there are strategies you can use to help reduce your risk of cataracts and maintain overall eye health, such as:

See your eye doctor regularly. Even if your vision is clear and healthy, make it a priority to schedule yearly eye exams. Routine visits allow your eye care professional to look for signs of cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other vision disorders. Early detection may actually save your sight!
Eat a diet rich in beneficial nutrients. There are several antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that can help reduce your risk of developing cataracts. A 2008 study of 35,551 women found that those who consumed the most lutein and zeaxanthin (antioxidants found in yellow or dark-green leafy vegetables), had an 18% lower chance of developing cataracts than those who consumed the least amount of lutein and zeaxanthin. In another study done in 2005, it was found that omega-3 fatty acids might help shield your eyes from cataract development. Looking at data on 71,083 women, the study's authors discovered that those with a higher intake of omega-3s (found in oily fish like salmon and sardines, as well as in flaxseed) had a reduced risk of cataracts. A healthy diet should be a priority for all of us. Eating foods high in antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, selenium, and vitamins C and E, as these may also help ward off cataract development.
Quit smoking -- or better yet, never start. We all know that cigarettes pose a litany of health risks to you and those around you. However, did you know smoking affects your eye health too? Research suggests that smoking doubles your chances of developing cataracts and the risk continues to grow based on how much your smoke.
Cut back on the cocktails. Heading out to happy hour this week? If so, remember to enjoy your beer, wine or cocktails in moderation. Like cigarettes, excess alcohol consumption can pose a number of health risks, including an increased chance of developing cataracts.
Protect those eyes from the sun! A 2014 John Hopkins study verified that years of chronic sunlight exposure could increase your risk of cataracts. Make sure you wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection when outside for extended periods.
Keep your diabetes under control. Data suggests that those with diabetes are at greater risk for developing cataracts. That is why maintaining healthy blood sugar is so important—for both your overall health and the health of your vision.
Avoid using corticosteroid medications for any length of time. Long-term use of oral steroids is a well-known cause of cataracts. Studies are conflicting, however, over whether inhaled and nasal-spray steroids increase the risk for cataracts. Always ask your doctor about risk factors when starting a new drug regimen.

Self-care measures may help for a while, but if your cataract progresses your vision may deteriorate further. When vision loss starts to interfere with your everyday activities, consult with your eye care professional to learn more about cataract surgery.

Use the Vision Source Find a Doctor tool to help you locate a local ophthalmologist. Make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam and if you notice any changes in your vision, such as cloudiness, double vision, or blurriness, contact your eye doctor right away.

Image Credit: rakratchada torsap via freedigitalphotos.net

How Can I Prevent Cataracts?

Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness in the United States. There’s no sure-fire way to prevent them, but making some lifestyle changes might lower your odds of getting them.

Eat Right

You can’t do anything about your age or family history, but you can change your diet.

Some research shows that eating foods high in antioxidants like vitamins C and E may help prevent cataracts. If you already have cataracts, it may slow their growth.

Good sources of vitamin C include:

Citrus (oranges, grapefruit, limes, etc.)
Tomatoes and tomato juice
Red and green peppers
Kiwifruit
Broccoli
Strawberries
Brussels sprouts
Cantaloupe
Potatoes

For vitamin E, look to vegetable oils like sunflower, safflower, or wheat germ. Nuts, especially almonds, are also good sources of vitamin E. So are peanuts. So are green veggies like spinach and broccoli. Some foods -- maybe even your favorite breakfast cereal -- contain extra vitamin E. Check the info on the package to be sure.

You may not have heard of lutein and zeaxanthin. These are two more vitamins that could help protect your eyes from cataracts. Eggs have them, as do green, leafy vegetables.

Make sure you eat fruits and veggies every day. Five servings can provide more than 100 milligrams of vitamin C and 5 to 6 milligrams of lutein and zeaxanthin. Just two servings of nuts can provide 8 to 14 milligrams of vitamin E. If you find it tough to fit all of this into your daily diet, consider multivitamins or supplements. But always talk to your doctor first.

Quit Smoking

You know that smoking is bad for your lungs and your heart, but it’s also really bad for your eyes. When it comes to cataracts, smoking is a risk factor you can control.

Smoking creates more free radicals in your eyes. These are chemicals that harm cells. Antioxidants -- all those good chemicals that you get from fruits and vegetables -- fight the bad chemicals. But smoking kills off the good chemicals. And it produces a lot of toxins that can cause cataracts.

If you kick the habit, it may help prevent cataracts, even if you’ve smoked a lot of cigarettes over a long period of time. Talk to your doctor about programs and medications that can help you quit.

If you don’t smoke, don’t start.

Wear Shades

Sunglasses can make you look cool. They can also help cut your risk of getting cataracts.

Science shows that ultraviolet (UV) light can cause changes in your eyes. And researchers now know that UV light actually damages the proteins in your lens.

There are lots of options for sunglasses that look good and protect your eyes at the same time. When shopping for shades, look for the kind that:

Block out 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays
Screen out 75% to 90% of visible light
Fit your face shape, with a frame that is close to your eyes
Have a gray tint, which is helpful when driving

Limit Alcohol

You don’t have to give up that glass of wine with dinner. But there is some evidence that drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk for cataracts.

Research has shown that if you drink fewer than two standard-size drinks each day, your odds of getting cataracts may be lower than if you never drank at all. But research also shows that drinking more than two drinks a day (about 20 grams of alcohol), raises those odds.

Keep Blood Sugar in Check

If you have diabetes, you know how important it is to keep your blood sugar under control. But did you know that it can also help prevent cataracts? That’s because people who have diabetes are more likely to develop the eye condition than people who don’t.

Your lens swells if your blood sugar stays too high for too long. Your lens also changes blood sugar into sorbitol. When this substance collects in the lens of your eye, you see less clearly, and a cataract may form.

Get Regular Eye Exams

Your eye doctor can spot problems early on. If you’re between 40 and 64, you should get a complete eye exam every 2 to 4 years. (A “complete” exam means your eye doctor will dilate your pupils).

If you’re over age 65, you should get an exam every 1 to 2 years.

If your odds are high for certain eye diseases, your eye doctor may want to see you more often.

my free thinkings (blogs of Abdur Rouf)

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