Cataracts Prevention Campaign

By Kyle Roderick
ThirdAge Staff

Cataracts, the most common cause of blindness around the world, develop in two-thirds of all 60-year-olds. Scientific research, however, indicates that this condition may be preventable. What's more, it appears that people who eat the most fruits and vegetables have the lowest rates of cataracts.

Various studies show that heightened levels of dietary or supplementary antioxidants can reduce the risk of developing cataracts by up to 50 percent. While much of the oxidation that occurs in eyes is the result of exposure to UV radiation from sunlight, researchers are still pinpointing which specific food components offer the most effective resistance against oxidation in the eyes.

Researchers do know that people who eat the most fruits and vegetables over the course of their lives have the lowest rates of cataracts. One or more ingredients in foods high in carotene also seem to exert protective benefits, but it's not necessarily the beta carotene that is beneficial. According to a study of 2,584 people published in the journal Archives of Ophthalmology, individuals with the highest blood levels of vitamin E had a significantly lower rate of cataracts compared to those with low levels of vitamin E.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology offers the following nutrition recommendations for helping prevent cataracts.

--Eat a lot of produce. Eat a minimum of five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

--Eat blueberries. They are especially high in flavonoids that can help prevent eye damage. Eat blueberries fresh or in jam, yogurt, pancakes or desserts.

--Take supplements. Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement that provides 100 to 150 percent of the RDA for the antioxidant nutrients vitamins C and E and beta carotene.

--Watch your blood sugar. Carefully monitor your blood sugar if you have diabetes. Erratic blood sugar levels can damage the lens of the eye.

--Wear sunglasses and hats when outdoors. You can minimize UVA and UVB light damage by shading your eyes with protective lenses and hats.

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Find tips for preventing a common cause of vision loss in the Macular Degeneration Quiz.