How To Prevent The Growth Of Cataracts?

As age grows, our vision goes blurred and weak. One of the most common eye related issues seen in older people is that of cataracts, which is a cloudy area that forms in the lens of the eye. This cloudiness prevents the lens from sending clear images to the retina. It develops slowly, and as it grows, it eventually interferes with the vision. It could be observed in only one eye at first, and then may or may not move on to the other eye too.

When you experience blurred vision, increased sensitivity to the sun and glare, double vision in any of the eyes, trouble seeing at night, halos around lights, or faded colours, you may be a victim of cataract. This is when you will need to get in touch with an eye specialist who has the experience of diagnosing and treating cataracts. There are various types of cataracts you could experience, depending upon which the appropriate cataract surgery can be performed.

• Nuclear cataracts – This is formed in the middle of the lens, which causes the nucleus to become yellow or brown; thus the name.
• Secondary cataracts – These cataracts are caused by a disease or certain medications; the most common diseases being diabetes and glaucoma, and medicine being steroid prednisone.
• Posterior capsular cataracts – As the name itself suggests, these cataracts affect the back of the eye lens, and form faster than any other type of cataract.
• Cortical cataracts – These are wedge-shaped cataracts that form around the edges of the nucleus.
• Traumatic cataracts – These develop after an injury to the eyes, but may take several years after the injury, to develop.
• Radiation cataracts – These cataracts are developed after a person undergoes radiation treatment for cancer.
• Congenital cataracts – This if present at birth itself, or forms during the baby’s first year – an exception to age-related cataracts.

While ageing is in itself a reason for blurred vision, there are various causes that can lead to cataracts. Some of these include exposure to ultraviolet radiation, diabetes, trauma, radiation therapy, overproduction of oxidants, excessive smoking, and long-term usage of steroids. To avoid cataracts, there are certain precautions that you can take. There are some simple changes that can bring major clarity to your vision; some of them being –

• Keep your drinking and smoking habits to a minimum.
• Make sure to keep good quality sunglasses on when you go out in the sun, or at least when you know that you are going to experience over-exposure to the sun.
• Keep a regular check on your eyes, even if they are healthy. This can help your doctor look early for any signs of cataracts, glaucoma, or other vision disorders.
• Last but not the least, you need to eat healthy. Eating foods high in antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and beta-carotene can keep your eyes away from cataracts. So, include foods like carrots, spinach, oranges, sweet potatoes, and kale into your daily diet.

So, take these simple steps and avoid the risks of encountering a cataract. But, if you are too late for that, and have already encountered cataract in your eye(s), you must immediately get in touch with and book an appointment with Arohi Eye Hospital to have the best cataract surgery in Mumbai and the best results.

Dr. Shradha Goel

Dr. Shradha Goel, Chief Surgeon at Arohi Eye Hospital, is a renowned Phaco-LASIK surgeon with over 10,000 surgeries to her credit. She earned her MBBS from Grant Medical College, Mumbai, and a Master’s in Ophthalmology from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. As a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. Goel specialises in LASIK, refractive errors, and cataract treatments.