How to Lower Your Risk of Developing Cataracts
May 19th, 2017
Nobody wants to get cataracts. They cause blurred vision, and the only way to get rid of them is with surgery. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to lower your risk of getting cataracts. While there is no way to completely eliminate the possibility of getting cataracts, you can cut down on your risk quite a bit.
Put a Stop to Your Vices
It turns out that your vices could have an impact on your eyes, especially when it comes to cataracts. If you’re a smoker, you are much more likely to develop cataracts and other eye issues. The same is true for drinking. You can have a drink every now and then, but if you overindulge, you have a higher risk of developing cataracts.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Your eyes need certain vitamins and nutrients to stay healthy. If you eat lots of leafy green vegetables, fruits, and lean protein, you are a lot less likely to develop cataracts. You are also less likely to develop diabetes. Since diabetics are more likely to get cataracts, this is really important. Keep your sugar intake under control so your eyes will remain healthy for the long haul. As an added bonus, you are less likely to have other health problems as well. Eating healthy is a win-win for your eyes and your body.
Keep the Sunlight Out
You like to enjoy the great outdoors during the spring and summer, and you might even like to get a tan. While some sunlight is good for you, UV rays can harm your eyes and lead to cataracts. That doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors behind blackout curtains. It just means you need some sunglasses to protect your eyes from the UV rays. Consider adding a wide-brimmed hat into the mix as well to provide some extra protection. Then, you can enjoy the outdoors without putting your eyes at risk.
Limit Your Oral Steroid Intake
Your doctor might prescribe oral steroids from time to time, but you don’t want to rely on them. Using them for long periods of time can contribute to various health issues, including cataracts. Talk to your doctor about different treatment options so you won’t be as likely to develop cataracts. If another treatment option isn’t available, let your eye doctor know about your medications so he or she can watch for early signs of cataracts.
Keep Regular Eye Doctor Appointments
While this won’t prevent you from getting cataracts, it will ensure that they are detected before they interfere with your quality of life. Cataracts have been known to lead to depression, so you want to catch them before they have a serious impact.
Your Decatur, Alabama, eye doctor will work with you to fight against cataracts. Talk to your eye doctor about other ways you can avoid this problem. Contact Dr. Danny Lee today!
