Prevent your eyes from getting a cataract early

One misconception about cataracts is that they only come about in old age. It is true that senile cataract, the most common type, is age-related, but people have to be aware that it can also start developing earlier on in an adult’s life.

But first, what exactly is a cataract?

A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s lenses that can cause vision problems, including blindness in very advanced cases. The lens is very close to the surface of the eye and is the part we use for focusing images and light in order to ‘see.’ Normal eye lenses are clear, watery substances that can change its shape as it focuses. A cataract can make the lenses more and more opaque, hindering proper transmission of light rays into the eyes.

Cataracts may affect one or both eyes, but it is not infectious as to spread from one eye to the other. The condition usually takes a long time to advance and is actually painless, but it gradually ruins eyesight to the point of affecting normal day-to-day activities. Common symptoms of a cataract are blurriness of sight, double vision, light sensitivity, seeing spots and glares, and constantly deteriorating eyesight that cannot be corrected by prescription glasses.

Cataract removal is necessary for cases with advanced symptoms. It is a simple surgical procedure that can be performed while the patient is awake, under local anesthesia. Basically, the damaged lens is removed and then replaced by an artificial one. This new plastic lens would then be permanent, and would help the patient regain good eyesight.

Those with mild cataracts may delay undergoing operation, at least until the condition starts getting in the way of their normal lifestyles. Until then, glasses and contact lenses ease minor loss of vision.

Cataracts are usually caused by changes in the eye’s lens, which in turn may be caused by the decrease in nutrients received by our eyes as we grow older. Younger people may also develop cataracts due to diabetes, eye injuries, exposure to the sun’s UV rays, or from taking certain medications for long periods of time. Smoking and drinking alcohol can likewise contribute to cataract growth, as these activities greatly increase free radicals in the body that can damage the lenses of the eyes.

Getting senile cataracts may be unavoidable, but we can at least try to keep your eyes healthy and cataract-free for as long as we can. The first trick is to live healthy. A nutritious diet rich in antioxidants such as vitamin E, as well as the natural substances called lutein and zeaxanthin, found in green leafy vegetables like spinach and collard greens, can help fight lens damage caused by free radicals. Likewise, avoiding cigarettes and alcohol can also lessen the risk of free-radical damage. Wearing UVA and UVB-protected sunglasses can also help shield your eyes from those harmful rays of the sun, and prevent the early onset of a cataract.