You likely know all about age-related cataracts. As people age, the lenses in their eyes change. Those changes can make the lenses opaque or cloudy.
Age might be the biggest cause of cataracts, but it is one of many. Educate yourself on the causes so you can prevent developing cataracts.
Nutritional Issues
Nutrients make your body healthy and strong. They also help your eyes fight back against cataracts. People who are deficient in vitamin E, vitamin C, and carotenoids set themselves up to develop cataracts. Munch on your fruits and veggies to ensure that your eyes are healthy and free from cataracts. You will feel better all around, and you’ll be less likely to develop cataracts. That is the perfect example of a win-win situation.
Heavy Drinking
Lots of people like a drink from time to time. However, if you find yourself engaging in heavy alcohol consumption, you might end up having trouble seeing the bottle. That’s because heavy drinkers are more likely to develop cataracts. Cut down on your alcohol consumption or stop it altogether to lower your risks. Your eyes will thank you for it.
Smoking
Nothing good comes from smoking. It increases your risk of cancer, causes high blood pressure, and isn’t socially acceptable. Now, you can add cataract formation to the list of negative side effects. Smokers are more likely to have cloudy lenses than nonsmokers are, so snuff out the butt and keep it out.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, it is important that you follow your doctor’s orders and get it under control. Letting your sugar go up and down with abandon will increase your risk of developing cataracts. Get everything under control by taking your medication and watching what goes into your mouth. Sugary foods might taste good, but think of the tradeoff. Sure, you can eat that piece of pie, but you might have to schedule cataract surgery when you’re done.
UV Rays
If you like to sunbathe, put on a wide-brimmed hat. Too much UV exposure can lead to cataracts. At the same time, your eyes need some sunlight to stay healthy, so find a balance. As long as you live inside of that happy balance, you shouldn’t get cataracts from UV rays.
Prescription Medications
If you’re worried about getting cataracts, go to your medicine cabinet and look through your medications. Some of your medications might cause cataracts. These prescriptions include corticosteroids and phenothiazine-related medications. If you are on these medications, talk to your physician. Find out if you have to stay on them for the long term or if you can come off them soon. In addition, keep regularly scheduled eye appointments so your eye doctor can track any changes. Early detection is beneficial when dealing with eye issues.
Even if you are low risk for developing cataracts, an eye appointment is still a good idea. Let one of our Nashville, Tennessee eye doctors examine you to ensure that your eyes are healthy. We can also go over your various lifestyle choices to help you get on track with your eye health.
