Cataracts can develop at any age.
The likelihood of developing cataracts increases as a person ages, with as many as 50 percent of individuals over the age of 65 developing cataracts that will impact their ability to lead a normal life. Cataracts usually develop slowly and sufferers may experience blurred or cloudy vision that gradually worsens over time. Given the number of people with the condition, it is likely that there are a significant number of individuals that have begun to develop cataracts and not yet are aware of it.
Some powerful medications such as steroids or chemotherapy can increase a person’s chance of developing cataracts at an earlier age, and clinics like the Abrams Eye Institute offer state-of-the-art technology and treatments, such as laser cataract surgery, should the condition be diagnosed. Cataracts can also be formed after trauma and can even be congenital, although rare. Dr. Abrams has performed cataract surgery on a 5 year old.
While Dr. Jack Abrams and the team have helped thousand overcome cataracts, we’d prefer to see you later in life, than sooner, and wanted to share some tips that can help lower the risk of cataracts:
Improve Your Diet and Eat Healthier Foods
Your eyes are made up of what you put into your system. We encourage our patients to eat healthy diets filled with omega-3 fatty acids from foods like salmon and tuna. And we also encourage patients to eat plenty of leafy greens and nuts and beans for protein and vitamins. A real super food for the eyes is the common orange. Add oranges, and the other foods listed, to not only reduce the risk of cataracts, but cut down risks for other health issues such as type-2 diabetes, which can cause blindness.
Protect Your Eyes From the Sun
We encourage all of our patients to find and wear sunglasses with polarized lenses. Sunglasses should be worn not only in the summer, but also all year long, as UV rays don’t take any days off in our climate. During our especially hot months, you can benefit from extra protect, such as a sun shielding hat, and even staying indoors during the brightest parts of the day. We also encourage everyone to be smart about the sun while driving their cars, as windshield glass and even tint, don’t always fully protect you from the sun’s UV rays.
Don’t Start – Or Make Sure You Quit – Smoking or Vaping
This is another recommendation along the lines of improving your diet that helps your body in more ways than just reducing risk for cataracts. Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your eyes, with tobacco intake causing damage to your optic nerve and kick starting or accelerating macular degeneration. We know quitting smoking (and vaping and other forms of inhalation can be challenge, so we urge you to consider your eyes when getting those efforts going. If you don’t smoke now, we’re happy for you and urge you not to start anytime soon.
Laser Cataract Treatment at Abrams Eye Institute
If you do find yourself suffering from vision challenges that you think, or know, come from cataracts, fortunately, modern surgical procedures, such as those performed by the team at Abrams Eye Institute, make it possible for cataracts to be addressed using a procedure that is both quick and painless. Schedule a consultation with Abrams Eye Institute today to see how we can help you by calling 702-304-9494.
