A cataract is the clouding of your eye lenses caused by a buildup of protein in the eye. It is most common for people to develop cataracts after the age of 40, with almost half of the population in the United States above the age of 65 developing them. One of the main issues with this condition is that it is the leading cause of blindness in the world.
An eye doctor in the Grand Rapids area can give you an eye exam to tell you if you have cataracts. Doctors can also recommend surgery if the cataracts have become dangerous and need to be operated on.
No one is exactly sure how cataracts appear, and there is no way to guarantee their prevention. Even so, there are methods which can reduce the risk of developing cataracts.
Eating a Healthy Diet
Scientists believe that a lack of antioxidants can lead to cataracts. Antioxidants protect your body from harmful molecules called free radicules. If the free radicules accumulate due to a lack of antioxidants, then you will be in a state of oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress can cause tissue damage and has also been linked to diabetes and cancer. To prevent oxidative stress, eat fruits, vegetables, and dark chocolate to get antioxidants.
Certain antioxidants, like vitamin C and D, help reduce the risk of cataracts. The best foods containing these antioxidants are red and green peppers, kiwi, broccoli, and potatoes.
Some other foods also contain antioxidants, but they are not as prevalent. Spinach is the healthiest vegetable for acquiring these antioxidants and some fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries are also known to contain them.
A healthy diet will consist of 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day to get all the required nutrients. Avoid soft drinks, sugary snacks, and fried foods to decrease your risk of getting cataracts.
Shielding Your Eyes from the Sun
The formation of cataracts can be accelerated by UV rays from the sun. These rays are why it is important to shield your eyes with something such as sunglasses if you are out on a sunny day.
Although obvious, avoid looking directly at the sun and use your hand to block the light at times if you need to.
Live Healthier
Smoking leads to a lot of health issues, and among them is cataracts.
Alcohol can also have detrimental effects on your eyesight. Other than just the blurred vision you get when drunk, excessive consumption of alcohol increases the chances of developing cataracts.
While alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation, it is highly recommended to avoid smoking altogether to reduce the risk of developing serious eye conditions.
Control Your Blood Sugar
Eating a well-balanced diet can help to reduce the risk of cataracts, but you also need to be aware of your blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar is high for too long, your eye lens will swell, making it difficult to see.People with diabetes already must keep their blood sugar in control, but even if you don’t have diabetes watching what you eat will help prevent health issues later on in your life.
Keeping your blood sugar under control will not only help prevent cataracts but many other dangerous diseases as well.
Get an Annual Eye Exam
Getting a regular eye exam is the only way to catch cataracts before it is too late. One eye exam every year can save your vision for life. Catching the condition early can help to prevent its development and provide the information necessary as to what must be done if it continues. If it does continue, since the doctor caught it, it can be treated and dealt with. Do not lose your vision. Schedule an eye exam and stay healthy.
Keep Your Vision
There have been many studies that have tested if eating a healthier diet filled with vitamin C and D can help prevent cataracts. The results from these studies point to the fact that they do help reduce the risk of getting cataracts, but it is not conclusive.
Wearing sunglasses and hats to protect yourself from UV rays can reduce the risk of getting cataracts.
Not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and controlling your blood sugar are all guaranteed to help prevent cataracts.
Even though there are ways to reduce the chance of getting cataracts, the only way to know if you ever do get them is to have an eye exam. Having an eye exam and catching cataracts before it can do permanent damage is the most important thing.
If you are diagnosed with cataracts, an experienced Ophthalmologist can perform cataract surgery to help you keep your vision.