According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, cataracts is the leading cause of reduced vision in people 55 years and older. Surgery to remove cataracts is extremely common, with millions performed each year, states the All About Vision website. Development of cataracts is a natural part of the aging process, but there are other factors involved in cataract development; managing these factors can decrease the risk of cataract development and growth.
UV Protection
Sunglasses not only help achieve a cool, chic look, they also reduce the risk of cataract development. Excessive exposure to UV light is a known cause of cataract development, according to the National Institutes of Health. The regular act of putting on your shades with exposure to the sun, especially when exposed for long periods, is good practice. Make sure the sunglasses have UV protection and are not just tinted. Hats with a wide brim are also helpful in blocking out the sun's rays.
Diet
The lens is the structure of the eye that undergoes changes when a cataract develops, becoming cloudy and foggy. The basis for the many studies trying to link nutrition to cataract development is the theory that an oxidation process creates free radicals, contributing to the cataract process, explains the American Academy of Ophthalmology. One study in the January 2008 issue of "Archives of Ophthalmology" indicates antioxidants significantly decrease the risk of cataract development in women. Another study, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, however, found no positive effects from antioxidant intake on slowing cataract development or progression. Still, many doctors, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, recommend eating a diet of green, leafy vegetables and a regimen of antioxidant vitamins for cataracts, since there are no adverse effects to taking them. Dark greens are usually recommended like spinach and kale, as are vitamins C, E and beta-carotene.
Behavior Modification
Smoking is bad for your health, and one of the reasons is that it may increase cataract risk. Many studies, including the Blue Mountains Eye Study, show a positive link between cataracts and smoking, so discontinuing this habit to curb cataracts is recommended, according to the "Archives of Ophthalmology." In the same vein, add cataract development to the long list of consequences of uncontrolled diabetes. Controlling blood sugar will reduce the risk of premature cataract development because there is a positive correlation between diabetes and cataract development, states the NIH. Lastly, protect your eyes when engaging in activities that may cause eye injury, like racquetball or other sports. The NIH notes that traumatic cataract can develop from the injury, sometimes even years after the initial impact.
References
- American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye Care America: August Is National Cataract Awareness Month
- National Institutes of Health: National Eye Institutes: Cataract
- American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye Care America: Antioxidant Vitamin and Mineral Supplements and Cataract Prevention and Progression
- All About Vision: Cataracts
- "Archives of Ophthalmology"; Dietary Carotenoids, Vitamins C and E, and Risk of Cataract in Women; William G. Christen, ScD; 2008
