Wheelchairs: Mobility Options for You

5 Helpful Tips For Preventing Cataracts

Cataracts cloud the lens of your eyes and can lead to blindness. They form gradually and are more common in elderly adults. The good news is that you can take steps to lower your risk of developing cataracts in the future. Here are five helpful tips for preventing cataracts.

Include Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Your Diet

If you include lutein and zeazanthin in your diet, you can lower your risk of getting cataracts. These nutrients neutralize free radicals in your eyes, which can reduce oxidative stress and retinal damage. Foods that contain high amounts of these nutrients include eggs, spinach, kale, oranges, green beans and corn.  

Put Your Sunglasses On

Another way you can reduce your risk of cataracts is to put sunglasses on before you go outside. The sun's ultraviolet rays can do a lot of damage to your eyes if they are not covered with sunglasses. Always remember to wear sunglasses that offer ultraviolet protection, even on cloudy days.

Stop Smoking

Are you a smoker? If so, you are not just at risk of heart disease and lung cancer. You are also more likely to develop cataracts. Smoking can alter the cells of the lens and even make them accumulate heavy metals. Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can reduce your chances of getting cataracts and many other diseases. Ask your doctor about tips on how to quit the habit.

Manage Your Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure, you are more likely to develop cataracts. That is why you should manage your blood pressure as best you can. You can lower your blood pressure by limiting your salt intake, exercising regularly, cutting back on caffeine and reducing your stress levels. If you still cannot lower your blood pressure, ask your doctor about taking medicine for it.

Visit Your Eye Doctor

It is important to visit your eye doctor at least once a year. During an eye examination, your optometrist can detect cataracts at the earliest stages. The sooner cataracts are detected, the easier it is to treat them. If you are at risk of developing cataracts, ask your optometrist if you should get eye exams more than once a year.

The idea of developing cataracts is scary to think about, but it is possible to prevent this eye disease. If you follow these helpful tips, you will be less likely to experience cataracts in the future. 


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