Cataracts are a clouding of the eye lens, leading to changes to a vision. A cataract can develop in one eye at a time or both eyes simultaneously.
The lens of an eye usually consists of clear tissue that focuses light on the retina and the outer coating of nerve cells lining the back wall of the interior of the eye. On your retina, light is switched to neural signals that communicate information to the brain.
Cataracts can be considered as an eye disorder. According to the National Eye Institute, by age of 80, more than one-half of people in the USA will develop cataract ones. And yeah, there are chances that people may develop cataract more than once in their lifetime.
While many cataracts are related to aging, and there are also certain kinds that may grow during childhood or due to some surgery, injury, usage of certain medication, or other health difficulties.
Cataracts often develop progressively worse, causing vision impairment which could interfere with your daily activities. It’s essential to talk to your ophthalmologist about any changes in your vision, and also what options may be opted for treating them.
The lens inside the eye works like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina for clear vision. In addition, it adjusts the eye’s focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away.
The lens is largely made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in an exact manner that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it.
Nevertheless, once we begin to age, a number of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small section of the lens. This is a cataract, and as time passes, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, which makes it harder to see.
Nobody knows for sure that how the eye’s lens changes when we get older, forming a cataract. But researchers have identified factors that may cause cataracts or are directly related to disease development.
Risk Factors Associated With Cataracts Include:
Older Age
Diabetes
Smoking
Heavy Alcohol Use
Obesity
Previous Eye Injuries
High Blood Pressure
Exposure To Radiation In x Rays And Cancer Therapies
A Family History Of Cataracts
Too Much Sun Exposure
Prevention of Cataracts:
Consume Fruits And Vegetables That Contain Antioxidants
Shield Your Eyes From UV Rays By Wearing Sunglasses Outside
Keep Diabetes And Other Health Conditions In Check
Stop Smoking
Keep a Healthy Weight
Have Routine Eye Examinations
There’s always been a significant controversy on can cataracts can be prevented or not. Numerous studies indicate certain nutritious and nutritionary supplements can lower your risk of cataracts.
A specific study which lasted for 10-years found that high dietary intakes of vitamin E, carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin in food or supplements resulted in significantly decreasing the risks of cataract.
Great food sources of Vitamin E consists of sunflower seeds, spinach, and almonds. Rich sources of lutein and zeaxanthin include lettuce, spinach, kale, and other green, leafy vegetables.
Other studies also have proven that antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C and foods containing omega 3 essential fatty acids may decrease cataract risk.
