Can You Prevent Cataracts?
Your eyesight is an important sense that you might take for granted. Eyesight can become compromised as your body ages. Cataracts are the most common culprit of eyesight problems in aging populations.
You might think that the development of cataracts is inevitable or out of your control, but there are some simple things that you can do now to help reduce your risk of cataracts in the future.
Quit Smoking
Smokers are at greater risk of developing cataracts. The substances that are found in cigarette smoke can have a biological impact on the structure of your eyes. It is believed that smoking can alter the cells of the eye lens through a process called oxidation.
Oxidation clouds the lens, leading to the development of cataracts. The more you smoke, the higher your risk of cataract development. Quit smoking now to preserve the health of your eyes in the future.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
The foods that you eat on a regular basis can have an impact on the health of your body, including the health of your eyes. Consuming a healthy diet is the easiest way to help reduce the likelihood that you will develop cataracts as your body ages.
You should strive to incorporate foods that are rich in antioxidants into your daily diet. Antioxidants help to ward off free radicals that could damage the body. These free radicals can contribute to oxidative stress of the eye, which leads to cataracts.
Having a high level of antioxidants in your body ensures that you are prepared to fight off the harmful effects of free radicals on your eyes. Incorporate lots of colorful fruits and vegetables and fish into your diet to increase antioxidant levels.
Wear Sunglasses
You know that you need to protect your skin against the harmful rays of the sun, but you may be surprised to learn that protecting your eyes against UV exposure is critical to optimal eye health as well.
UVA light can trigger a chain reaction within the lens cells of the eye that results in protein glycation. This glycation puts you at risk of developing cataracts. Be sure that you wear sunglasses anytime you are exposed to UV light—including during the winter months, when the sun can reflect off snow and amplify the negative effects of UV light on your eyes.
If you want to take control over your chances of developing cataracts, then quit smoking, add antioxidant-rich foods to your diet, and wear sunglasses when you are outdoors. Reach out to an ophthalmology service for more information for more information
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