How to Prevent Cataracts Naturally

A cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. This makes it difficult for the affected person to see objects. He/she will feel blurriness or clouded vision. Cataracts can develop in single or both eyes. Cataract usually starts from a small part of the eye and then proceeds slowly. It is the reason that many people don’t take it seriously in the beginning.

But once the cataract develops fully, the only treatment is surgery. Eye surgery itself creates several issues while delaying surgery can result in total blindness. Therefore, it is important to identify the causes and early symptoms of cataracts. It is also necessary to know and follow prevention techniques to avoid the development of cataracts. It is the safest thing to do as it protects your eye/s from later complications.

Early Symptoms of Cataracts

There are several changes in structure and working of eye that provide information about development of cataracts. Knowing early symptoms can assist in taking precautionary measures that may slow down the development and allow early treatment of cataracts. Symptoms of cataracts include:

• Blurry, cloudy or dim vision
• Difficult to see at night
• Need for brighter light to see small objects
• Halos around light
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Double vision in single eye

Causes of Cataracts

Genetic disorder can play a role in causing cataracts. But cataracts are the result of few lifestyle changes for most of the individuals. Following are important risk factors that can trigger cataracts in one or both eyes.

• Aging
• Eye injury or surgery
• Myopia
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Corticosteroid medications
• Medicines to reduce cholesterol 

Tips to Prevent and Heal Cataracts Naturally

After its onset, cataracts develop gradually. It is therefore extremely important either to prevent the onset of cataracts or elimination of this problem at the beginning. It is possible to prevent and even heal underdeveloped cataracts through natural ways. These natural preventive measures are also helpful in eliminating chances of recurrence of already treated cataract. 

Lutein and Zeaxanthin (Carotenoids)

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are two important carotenoids present in several animal and plant foods. These carotenoids are also part of human eyes and protect them from damaging effects of UV rays.

A study on the dietary consumption of lutein and zeaxanthin was conducted in order to find its relationship with nuclear cataract (affecting center of the lens), cortical cataract (affecting edges of the lens) and PSC cataract (affecting back of the lens). The study has proved that regular high dietary intake of these carotenoids is beneficial against nuclear cataract. [1] 

Green leafy vegetables contain high amount of beneficial carotenoids

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are present in higher amounts in green leafy vegetables, sweet corn, egg yolk etc.

Quit Alcohol

Like several other problems, drinking alcohol is also associated with cataracts. The dangers of cataracts increase with increase in consumption of alcohol. Heavy drinkers also experience early onset and more complexity of cataracts as compared to non-drinkers. Drinking 20 g of alcohol per day can be extremely dangerous as it significantly increases risk of age-related cataracts. [2] 

Avoid smokeless Tobacco

Smoking is the most prominent form of tobacco usage worldwide. But several people also use smokeless tobacco in the form of chewing tobacco, sniffing etc. The injurious effects of smoking are well documented for health of heart, lungs etc. But in case of cataract, the main culprit is the smokeless tobacco.

A study on around 4,000 people proved that there is no connection between smoking tobacco and any type of cataract. But smokeless tobacco is the major cause of nuclear cataract without age and gender difference. [3]

Use Sunglasses

UV rays from sun are extremely harmful for eyes and an important negative effect of these rays is cataracts. The only way you can avoid or minimize this negative effect is by wearing sunglasses that absorb or reflect 100 or 99% of ultraviolet (especially UVA and UVB) rays. 

Sunglasses can absorb or reflect dangerous UV rays 

It is important to choose sunglasses that can cover the whole eye. Using large-brimmed hat is also recommended for complete protection against these harmful UV rays. Using sunglasses are more important during summer season when UV rays are three times higher than winters. [4]

Keep your diabetes in Check

Diabetes is a major cause for malfunctioning of several body parts including heart, kidneys and blood vessels. This also includes small blood vessels in eyes. Diabetes not only increases risks of developing cataracts but it can also result in having this disease in younger age. People with diabetes mellitus have 60% more chances of developing cataracts as compared to healthy individuals. [5] 

Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to constantly check your diabetes and keep it under control with exercise, healthy diet and medication. 

Do Regular Exercise

Another well known and common positive lifestyle activity for prevention of cataracts is regular exercise. A long study on more than 47,000 individuals of both genders has proved that both moderate exercise (walking) and vigorous exercise (running) are equally helpful in reducing dangers of cataracts. [6] 

Both moderate and vigorous exercise can prevent cataracts

Therefore, it is important for young and old to exercise according to their physical capacity that will significantly lower chances of cataracts. 

Obesity and Overweight

Several large studies have been conducted to find relation between obesity and cataracts. Surprisingly, the results were mixed. In a review of six studies, a positive relation between obesity and cataracts was clearly visible. In this meta-analysis conducted on 163,013 participants aged between 40 and 84, obesity was associated with increase in risk for nuclear cataract, PSC cataract and cortical cataract. The overweight subjects were seen with increased risk for only PSC cataract. [7] 

Obesity increases dangers of all types of cataracts

But in another study, overweight subjects were found to have been better protected against cataracts. A study on 3,248 subjects of both genders aged 50 and above was conducted in S Korea. The study shows that overweight subjects had lower instances of all types of cataracts as compared to subjects with normal weight. It is estimated that lower chances of cataracts in overweight group is due to highest intakes of important nutrients in this group. [8] 

These studies prove that obesity is very harmful for all types of cataracts. On the other hand, weight slightly higher than normal range is beneficial for cataracts as overweight people also have higher intake of nutrients that are important for cataract protection.    

Hypertension

Like diabetes, hypertension is also associated with negative effects on functioning of several body organs. It is also true for eyes as well. The result of 25 studies on association of hypertension and cataracts show that hypertension is strongly connected with increase in risks of PSC (posterior subcapsular cataract) that affects back of the lens. [9]

We can prevent and also treat hypertension with regular exercise, consuming diet lower in saturated fats, avoiding mental stress etc.