Cataracts and Aging: How to Protect Your Eyes as You Get Older

A cataract is when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, often causing symptoms like blurry vision, double vision, light sensitivity and more. By age 75, roughly 70% of people have cataracts, but that doesn’t mean they should be considered normal. After all, cataracts that are left untreated are the leading cause of blindness worldwide.

But since aging is a primary cause of the development of cataracts, is there anything you can do to prevent them or slow down their progress? The answer is yes. You can reduce risk of cataracts by taking the following advice.

Lifestyle Changes

 If you smoke, one of the most important lifestyle changes you can make is to quit, as this is a major red flag for cataracts. Additionally, make sure your sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and wear a hat with a protective brim to keep your eyes shielded even more.

 Diet Recommendations

Did you know that eating the right foods can protect your vision and keep you healthy in your later years? If you want to reduce risk of cataracts, plan to eat foods with plenty of the following nutrients:

• Vitamin C (e.g. oranges, strawberries, broccoli)
• Vitamin E (e.g. avocados and olive oil)
• Zinc (e.g. legumes, seeds and seafood)
• Lutein and Zeaxanthin (e.g. kale, asparagus and papaya)
• Omega-3 fatty acids (e.g. flaxseeds, chia seeds and cold-water fish)

Eye Exams

 While incorporating these lifestyle and dietary changes into your routine, remember one more tip that can make all the difference in preventing, slowing down the progress of and/or catching cataracts early: eye exams. Plan to have a comprehensive exam every year in order to keep your eyes in great health and reduce risk of cataracts.

Ready to schedule? Book your appointment online today!