A cataract is a painless but annoying cloudiness of the lens of the eye. If left untreated, cataracts will cause vision problems. More than 50 percent of Americans aged 80 and older have had a cataract. Though many factors may play a role in the development of a cataract, there are some things you can do that might help you avoid getting one.
1 Protect your eyes when out in bright sunlight. Wear sunglasses that block strong ultraviolet (UV) rays or a wide-brimmed hat that will shade your eyes from the sun.
2 Stop smoking. A strong link between smoking and the development of cataracts has been established. If you're a smoker, smoking cessation will decrease your chances of getting a cataract.
3 Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. The proper intake of some vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, has shown to help avoid getting a cataract. Try to get six servings of fruits and vegetables throughout the day.
4 Manage your diabetes, if you suffer from this disease. Diabetes can cause eye problems, including the development of cataracts. Keeping your diabetes under control can help you avoid getting a cataract if you are diabetic.
5 Get a thorough eye examination regularly. Cataract development may be detected early and avoided. For those 60 years of age and over, a comprehensive eye exam should be conducted every year.
Tips & Warnings
Choose green leafy vegetables when you increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Green leafy vegetables contain the highest amounts of antioxidants believed to help avoid getting a cataract.
Add foods that contain B vitamins and carotenoids to decrease your risk of getting a cataract. Dairy and grains are rich in B vitamins, and carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and pumpkin are great sources of carotenoids (such as beta carotene).
(SOURCE: http://www.ehow.com/how_2318250_avoid-getting-cataract.html)
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