Cataracts Prevention

 A Cataract is the world’s leading cause of blindness, according to the World Health Organization, which accounts for more than 51 percent of blindness worldwide. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), cataracts affect an estimated 30 million Americans aged 40 or older. 

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye which is a usually transparent area. As we age, proteins found in the eye break down and clump together, causing cloudy spots on the once transparent lens. These spots are called cataracts. When this cloudy spot continues to spread, it prevents light rays from passing through the lens and getting to the retina. As the cataract grows larger over time and affects more of the lens, this can make it harder for you to see and your vision may become dull and blurry. 

Factors that cause you to have cataracts include:

• Age- A high majority of cataract reported cases are related to age, as they affect people from 65 years and above.

• Congenital factors- In some rare instances, some babies can be born with cataracts, while some children develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. 

• Trauma- An injury to one or both eyes may cause you to develop a traumatic cataract. This cataract can form either right after the accident or can develop several years later.

As with modernization and change in lifestyle, some things can speed up the formation of cataracts to the point you get cataracts as early as age 40. This can be attributed to:

• Diabetes- People with diabetes can experience damage to blood vessels in the eyes from high blood sugar and swell in the liquid between the eyeball and cornea lens. This may increase the chances of developing a cataract.

• Smoking- The body uses antioxidants to protect its cells, including those in the eye, from damage. Smokers' blood contains lower levels of antioxidants. Smoking releases harmful compounds into the blood that travel to the eyes and cause irritation or damage. Over time these conditions work together to destroy the eye’s natural proteins which leads to the clouding of the eye lens(cataracts). 

• Sun/UV exposure- The eye lens is mainly made up of water and proteins, making it transparent and able to transmit light onto the retina. Years of exposure to UV rays can cause these proteins in the lens to clump together and thicken, which prevents light from passing through, therefore increasing your risk of getting cataracts & other eye diseases.

Tips That Could Make a Difference in the Prevention of Cataracts

1. Regular eye exams

Visiting your eye doctor regularly is highly recommended. Eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma don't show any symptoms in the early stages and the only way to get a diagnosis is through an eye exam by a qualified eye doctor. 

2. Quit smoking 

Studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Quitting smoking can lower your risk of developing cataracts significantly. 

3. Move your body

It's proven that exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and protect your heart, but did you know that it might also help protect you from vision loss? While studies in this area are just emerging, early signs show exercise reduces the risk of developing cataracts.

4. Wear sunglasses

When selecting sunglasses, choose those that provide 100% UV protection and block both UVA and UVB rays found outside on both a sunny day or a cloudy day. Do not just rely on contact lenses with UV protection, either. Always wear sunglasses.

5. Eat a diet rich in nutrients

Although there isn't an exact known cause of cataracts, researchers have found that oxidative stress damages the proteins in the eye’s natural lens. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between damaging free radicals (molecules that are highly reactive with other molecules) and antioxidants that keep them in check. Antioxidants can be found in certain fruits and vegetables like carrots, broccoli, spinach, potatoes, cranberries, and strawberries.

It all comes down to taking one small step towards changing your lifestyle. It may prolong your eyesight and your life. Become our member to get a free consultation with over 120 specialists.