Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States, with millions of Americans suffering from the condition. According the World Health Organization, more than 50% of reported vision loss cases are caused by cataracts. In today’s article, Downtown Eyes explains everything you need to know about cataracts.
We will start by explaining what cataracts are and what symptoms the condition causes, along with discussing the treatment methods that are available from an eye specialist. Next, we share tips on maintaining a healthy diet, as certain foods like salmon and carrots can help prevent cataracts. Eating a healthy diet that’s rich in certain vitamins and antioxidants can strengthen your eyes protection against cataract formation.
Your natural lenses are a component in your eyes that refract light rays onto the retina. To do this job properly, the lens must be clear. When a person develops cataracts, their lenses become cloudy due to a protein buildup. This cloudiness prevents light from passing through the lens properly, leading to blurry, hazy or less colorful vision. Cataracts can cause a person to lose some of their eyesight. If you suspect that you have cataracts, then you should head to a reputable eye clinic for a checkup.
Cataracts can be caused by several different factors. Oxidative stress damages particular proteins and enzymes in the eye’s lens, causing it to become cloudy. The different types of cataracts include:
Age-related – These cataracts form as a person grows older, which is why adopting healthy life habits including an eye-friendly diet is so important.
Secondary – Secondary cataracts are caused by an underlying condition like diabetes, taking certain medication or too much exposure to ultraviolet light, radiation or toxic substances.
Traumatic – These cataracts form after an eye injury.
Congenital – Some babies are born with cataracts and some children can develop them too. These cataracts may be caused by poor development in the womb, injury or infection.
Downtown Eyes recommends undergoing a comprehensive eye exam regularly to check for cataract symptoms and other signs of eye diseases and vision problems. Our eye doctors can perform a wide range of eye exams including a contact eye exam. We offer personalized treatment plans for eye diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and more.
Cataracts form very gradually. As a result, many patients don’t realize they have cataracts until the condition is already advanced and they’re experiencing vision problems. Here are some common symptoms:
Double vision in the affected eye
Nearsightedness
Changes in the way you see color
Problems with glare during the day
Seeing glare from oncoming headlights
Vision that’s filmy, blurry, foggy or cloudy
Cataracts aren’t painful, which is why they can be hard to notice. Regular eye exams are important if you want to catch this disease early and prevent it from progressing. If left untreated, cataracts will continue to grow, causing the patient’s vision to become more and more blurry.
Your doctor will interview you about your symptoms and then perform a series of tests to determine if you have cataracts. These include a visual acuity test, a retinal exam and a slit-lamp exam. The visual acuity test evaluates how sharp your vision is; the retinal exam assesses the condition of your retina; and the slit-lamp exam allows the doctor to examine the different parts of your eye including the cornea, iris and lens.
If caught early, cataracts can be managed without surgery. However, if the cataracts have already advanced to the point that they’re affecting your daily life, then you will probably need to consider surgery. During cataract surgery, the surgeon will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one. This is a very common and safe procedure. You’ll be awake but you’ll feel no pain because of the local anesthesia. The procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
There’s no foolproof way to prevent cataracts, but making some lifestyle changes might reduce your risk of developing them. Research shows that eating foods that are high in antioxidants like vitamins E and C can help prevent cataracts. If you already have cataracts, then these vitamins can slow the progression of the condition. A diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruits can reduce your odds of getting cataracts later in life.
Your diet should include five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day, at least two servings of fish per week and at least three servings of 100% whole grains every day. Colorful and dark green vegetables and fruits are great sources of eye-friendly antioxidants. Here are some specific examples of food that can help with cataract prevention:
Carrots are rich sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, an antioxidant that absorbs dangerous UV rays from the sun. This is important because UV sun exposure has been linked to cataracts. We recommend eating carrots raw to gain the most nutritional benefit.
The vibrant color of salmon comes from astaxanthin. This carotenoid protects the eyes from free radical damage that can cause cataracts. Salmon is also an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can prevent cataracts, dry eye and cardiovascular disease. We suggest baking, grilling or poaching your salmon.
Oysters contain a high amount of zinc, which helps protect the lens from degeneration. Beef, pork and nuts also contain zinc, so you should incorporate them into your diet as well. We suggest eating oyster stew or utilizing dry cooking methods like grilling, roasting or baking.
Wearing UV-protective sunglasses when you go outdoors can help cut your risk of developing cataracts. Choose sunglasses that block out 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays and screen out 75% to 90% of visible light. If you have diabetes, then you need to keep your blood sugar in check. Your lens swells if your blood sugar is too high. Drinking too much alcohol can also increase your risk of cataracts.
Smoking is also bad for your eyes, as it creates free radicals in your eyes and also produces a lot of toxins that can cause cataracts. Finally, make sure to schedule regular eye exams with your eye doctor. Diagnosing cataracts early allows for prompt treatment, which helps prevent the disease from progressing, preserving your vision.
Downtown Eyes treats many eye problems including cataracts. We use the latest optical technology to provide the highest quality eye care for local patients. We adopt a personalized approach for every patient, so we will be glad to answer all your questions and address all your concerns. Our friendly staff will make you feel at ease and welcomed.
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