Most cataracts are related to aging and by the age of 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. There can be other causes such as diabetes, eye injury, radiation and surgery. Here are 3 things to know:
- Cataracts develop with age and affect 30% of Americans.
- They produce a clouding of the lens causing it to slowly change to a yellowish/brownish color. (Symptoms include: blurred images, faded colors, glare, poor night vision and frequent prescription changes.) They are the #1 cause of blindness world wide even though cataract removal surgery is routine in the U.S.
- A recent study in the U.K. found that genetic factors were responsible for 35% of the cataract progression and 65% was environmental factors such as diet. A diet rich in Vitamin C was found to inhibit cataract progression in women by 33% (lower risk). The foods that are highest in Vitamin C are: bell peppers, dark leafy greens, kiwifruit, broccoli, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peas and papayas.
Do you think you might have cataracts? Cataracts are diagnosed during a routine comprehensive eye exam. So be sure to make your appointment with me to check it out.
At Rancho Santa Fe Optometry we offer comprehensive eye examinations for all ages. With a focus on children’s vision and vision therapy, our doctors test for visual acuity, visual efficiency skills and visual information processing starting in early infancy. The practice also provides diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases that affect the human eye and visual system, including dry eye syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, macular degeneration and keratoconus.
