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Though most age-related cataracts develop without any specific, scientists have identified several risk factors that may cause cataracts to form in some people. Long term exposure to UV-B light, such as sunlight, can accelerate cataract formation. Hence, people who work or spend a lot of time outdoors should wear UV protective sunglasses. Smoking can also increase the risk of developing cataracts. Here is yet another reason to stop smoking! Recent evidence has also suggested that good nutrition may help prevent cataract formation. Some studies have seen beneficial effects of vitamin supplementation with vitamins C, E and carotenoids. Currently, however, scientists are still not certain that vitamin supplements definitely prevent cataract formation.

Currently, there is no cataract cure or way of reversing cataracts. But there are some things that you can do to possibly slow the rate at which cataracts form. In some cases, these strategies may even prevent cataracts from forming in the first place. Some of these possible cataract prevention measures can include:

1.Certain lifestyle and diet changes.
2.Regular eye exams

If you are over age 60, you should have a comprehensive eye examination at least once every two years. This exam should include dilating your pupils. This means drops are put into your eyes to enlarge your pupils.

Although a cataract can be detected without dilating your pupils, your eye care professional can see the back of your eye better using this procedure. Getting a good view of the retina and optic nerve is important in detecting eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or other vision problems. Early treatment for many eye diseases can save your sight.

Prevention Tips:

1.Choose a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Adding a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet ensures that you’re getting a lot of vitamins and nutrients. Fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants, which in theory could prevent damage to your eye’s lens. Studies haven’t proven that antioxidants in pill form can prevent cataracts. But fruits and vegetables have many proven health benefits and are a safe way to increase the amount of vitamins in your diet.

2.Maintain a healthy weight. If your current weight is a healthy one, work to maintain it by exercising most days of the week. If you’re overweight or obese, work to lose weight slowly by reducing your calorie intake and increasing the amount of exercise you get each day.

3.Take care of other health problems. Follow your treatment plan if you have diabetes or other medical conditions that can increase your risk of cataracts.

4.Wear sunglasses. Ultraviolet light from the sun may contribute to the development of cataracts. Wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays when you’re outdoors.

5.Quit smoking. Ask your doctor for help to stop smoking. Medications, counseling and other strategies are available to help you.

6.Have regular eye exams. Eye exams can help detect cataracts and other eye problems at their earliest stages. Ask your doctor how often you should have an eye exam.

On the other hand, in subgroup analysis, the researchers discovered that the effect of beta-carotene supplementation on cataract appeared to be modified by smoking status. The trial data suggest that among current smokers, men assigned to the beta-carotene group had a statistically significant 26 per cent reduced risk of cataract compared with those in the placebo group – 108 cases compared to 133 cases.

Similar results were observed for cataract extraction. Among current smokers, men assigned to beta carotene had a 27 per cent reduced risk of extraction compared with men assigned to placebo – 68 cases versus 86 cases.

For both cataract and cataract extraction, the reduction in risk among current smokers assigned to beta carotene was apparent during the early years of treatment and follow-up (years 1-5)). Yet there was no significant trend toward greater benefit with an increasing duration of treatment for either cataract end point.

‘Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for cataract’, noted the scientists. As such, to explore the relative effects of baseline smoking status and beta-carotene treatment assignment on risk of cataract, models were fit with current non-smokers assigned to placebo as the reference group. For current smokers assigned to placebo, there was a statistically significant 65 per cent increased risk of cataract compared with the reference group. According to the researchers this excess risk associated with being a current smoker was markedly attenuated by assignment to beta-carotene treatment.

Smoking causes free radicals to form and decreases the level of antioxidants in the blood. Now we have more free radicals than what can be disarmed by the circulating antioxidants. These free radicals through a cascading series of chemical reactions bring disease and aging to our bodies.

Many common eye diseases are associated with smoking. Normally we think of the lungs as being the most affected organ. The health of our bodies and our eyes – including the macula and the lens – depends on healthy circulation. Smoking promotes atherosclerosis or a hardening of blood vessels – including the fragile ocular (eye) capillaries.