4 Lifestyle Choices That Affect Cataracts

A senior couple holding water bottles and wearing athletic clothing are looking ahead

The lens of your eye is typically clear. However, when a cataract forms, the lens becomes clouded which can make it incredibly difficult to see properly. Most cataracts form slowly over time. However, by the time they are noticeable to most patients, the cataracts will have drastically interfered with your vision. The good news is that not only are there treatment options for removing cataracts, but there are actually lifestyle choices you can make to reduce the likelihood of forming them at all.

 

Impacting Cataract Formation

The following environmental factors have been shown to lead to an increased risk of cataracts:

  1. Poor Diet: Did you know that a poor diet can contribute to the development of cataracts? The good news is that with a few simple choices, you can potentially slow the growth of existing cataracts. Research shows that food with high levels of Vitamins C and E may not only slow the growth of existing cataracts, but they might also help to prevent them altogether. Avocados, mangos, and blackberries are all examples of healthy food choices with high levels of Vitamins C and E.
  2. Prolonged And Extended Exposure To Ultraviolet (UV) Light: Do you regularly forget to wear your sunglasses on sunny and partially cloudy days? If you answered, “yes,” then you are accidentally damaging your eyes. Whether it is naturally occurring from the sun or artificial, UV light can cause changes to your eye health and potentially permanently damage your eyes. Wearing sunglasses that block out 99 – 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, and screen out a minimum of 75 percent of visible light can help to protect your eyes and prevent cataracts.
  3. Smoking: Many people know that smoking is bad for their heart and lungs; however, they don’t realize that smoking can also negatively impact their eyesight too. Smoking allows unstable atoms that can damage cells into your eyes, which in turn can lead to the toxins that cause cataracts.
  4. High Blood Sugar: People with diabetes or high blood sugar are more likely to develop cataracts than individuals who have normal blood sugar levels. In fact, the lens of your eye can swell from prolonged periods of high blood sugar. If your lens swells, then you will see less clearly, your blood sugar will change into sorbitol, and cataracts are more likely to form on the lens of the eye.

 

Scheduling A Consultation

The first step of the journey towards healthier vision is scheduling a consultation to discuss your cataracts and the treatment options available to you. With the largest team of cataract specialists in the region, Florida Eye Specialists is dedicated to providing the best technology available for every patient. You can request an appointment online or give us a call at (904) 564-2020.

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