Ask a doctor - How can one protect against cataracts?

Q. How can one protect against cataracts?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

The best way to protect against cataracts is taking preventive measures in order to avoid their development. Here are the top five tips for protecting yourself from developing cataracts:

Wearing sunglasses with UV protection: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight contributes to the development of age-related cataracts, so wearing sunglasses that offer full spectrum UV protection is essential.

Eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants: Eating a balanced diet that includes foods high in vitamins C and E can help reduce your risk of developing certain types of cataracts due to oxidative stress caused by free radicals in the environment. Foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and dark leafy greens are all excellent sources of these nutrients.

Quitting smoking: Smoking significantly increases your risk for various vision problems including cataract formation, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). If you currently smoke, quitting can dramatically reduce your risk for these eye diseases as well as provide numerous other health benefits.

Practicing good hygiene when handling contact lenses or eye drops : Properly caring for contact lenses or utilizing eye drops on an ongoing basis will help prevent infection or inflammation which may accelerate the formation of cataracts over time .

5 . Visiting an optometrist regularly : Regular visits with an experienced optometrist will ensure proper monitoring for any changes related to overall ocular health — including signs of early-stage lens clouding known as pre-cataractous conditions — which allows timely intervention if necessary before more advanced stages develop into true cataracts.. By following these simple steps , you can minimize your chances of contracting this common condition while preserving optimal vision well into old age!