Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLifestyle ChangesPreventive Health CareDiet and NutritionAlternative Medicine
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Lifestyle Changes
Preventive Health Care
Diet and Nutrition
Alternative Medicine
Nutrition and lifestyle changes may help you to prevent cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that is the world’s leading cause of blindness.Cataractsoccur with advancing age and that’s not something you can influence, but there are steps you can take to help preserve your vision.
A number of studies have shown benefits from quitting smoking, protecting your eyes from the sun, and adding vitamins and minerals known to support eye health to your diet. Keep in mind that more research is needed to understand how these remedies may prevent cataracts.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Martin Barraud / Getty Images
1. Quit Smoking
People who smoke have a much greater risk of developing cataracts later in life. Smoking ranked second, behind only air pollution and particulate matter, as the top risk factor for cataracts across 204 countries in the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study.
Quitting smoking, especially among older people, is one of the most important lifestyle choices for cataract prevention.
2. Limit Your Consumption of Alcohol
There are mixed results on the role of alcohol and cataract risk. One study from the United Kingdom showed that males who consumed alcohol had an increased risk for development but that wasn’t the case for females.
3. Avoid UV Exposure
Studies have found a relationship between long-term exposure to ultraviolet light and the development of cataracts. People who have occupations that require spending a lot of time outdoors are at particular risk.
At the same time,safe sun exposureis needed for your body to process vitamin D, which also can contribute to eye health.Sunglasses can help protect your eyes from ultraviolet light while you are outdoors.
If you are at risk of eye injury at work, wear protective eyewear, and not just outdoors. For example, healthcare workers who perform certain imaging studies are exposed to radiation that can increase the risk of cataracts.
4. Get Routine Eye Exams
Cataract testing is done as a part of a comprehensive eye exam. You should have eye exams regularly, especially as you get older. For adults without risk factors, the American Optometric Association recommends getting an eye exam every two years up until the age of 64.
After the age of 64, you should get an exam every year. If you are at risk of developing cataracts or other eye problems, you should get an exam every year regardless of age.
5. Manage Related Conditions
Some health conditions put you at greater risk for developing cataracts. These include:
If you have any of these conditions, it is important to make sure they are well-managed. If you have diabetes, for example, make sure your blood sugar is under control. Lifestyle changes like good nutrition and exercise can help you reduce your weight and your risk of developing cataracts.
6. Consume Carotenoids
Dietary intake ofluteinandzeaxanthinhas been associated with a lower risk of developing cataracts. These carotenoids, found in leafy greens like kale, have antioxidant properties.Eggs are a good source of zeaxanthin, too.
Lutein and zeaxanthin may prevent eye damage due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Vitamin A, a common carotenoid found in pumpkin, also may offer benefits.
7. Get Your Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acidsare known to fight inflammation. Many studies have found evidence that dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a decrease in the risk of developing cataracts.
Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in foods like walnuts, flaxseed, and many types of seafood.
8. Don’t Miss Out on Vitamin C
Vitamin Cplays a role in eye health, with research that suggests a reduced risk of developing cataracts in people with higher vitamin C intake.
It’s believed that vitamin C lowers oxidative stress and protects blood vessels in the eye.
9. Take Your Vitamin E
Vitamin E, another antioxidant, is believed to protect the health of membranes in the eye.This could potentially limit the risk of developing cataracts, but more research is needed to understand this mechanism.
10. Try Zinc
The mineralzinc, found in red meat and shellfish as well as chickpeas and yogurt, may prevent eye damage.
The amount of zinc found in eye tissue is higher than it is in other parts of the body, especially the zinc contained in your retina. It’s believed that zinc helps to protect the eye lens, with at least one study showing that zinc and vitamin A supplement use lowered the risk of cataracts.
A 2019 review of more than 120 research papers identified dozens of medicinal plants used to treat cataracts across the globe. They are used in Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, and other alternative medicine treatments.
Treatments included:
However, the authors stress the need for clinical studies on the use of alternative therapies in humans in order to determine any health benefit. They also caution that alternative treatments aren’t always evaluated for their toxicity or other dangers.
If you are considering alternative remedies, consult with your healthcare provider first. And remember that avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences.
Summary
Many people develop cataracts as they get older, but there are ways to reduce your risk. Limit your exposure to UV light, avoid smoking and alcohol, and increase your intake of yellow or dark-green leafy vegetables. Make sure to get plenty of omega-3s and other nutrients that support eye health.
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, make sure your condition is well-controlled. Exercise and weight loss can help people diagnosed with obesity or overweight.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common eye disorders.Wang D, Tang T, Li P, Zhao J, Shen B, Zhang M.The global burden of cataracts and its attributable risk factors in 204 countries and territories: a systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study.Front Public Health. 2024 Jun 12;12:1366677. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1366677Xu Y, Liang A, Zheng X, Huang Z, Li Q, Su T,et al.Sex-specific social, lifestyle, and physical health risk factors in cataracts development.Eye (Lond). 2024 Oct;38(15):2939-2946. doi:10.1038/s41433-024-03193-zChua SY, Luben RN, Hayat S, et al.Alcohol consumption and incident cataract surgery in two large UK cohorts.Ophthalmology. 2021;128(6):837-47. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.02.007Modenese A, Gobba F.Cataract frequency and subtypes involved in workers assessed for their solar radiation exposure: a systematic review.Acta Ophthalmol. 2018;96(8):779-88. doi:10.1111/aos.13734Murkey SP, Agarwal A, Pandit P, Kumar S, Jaiswal A.Unveiling the Spectrum of Ophthalmic Manifestations in Nutritional Deficiencies: A Comprehensive Review.Cureus. 2023 Dec 11;15(12):e50311. doi:10.7759/cureus.50311Garcia-Sayan E, Jain R, Wessly P, Mackensen GB, Johnson B, Quader N.Radiation Exposure to the Interventional Echocardiographers and Sonographers: A Call to Action.J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2024 Jul;37(7):698-705. doi:10.1016/j.echo.2024.03.002American Optometric Association.Comprehensive eye exams.Chen H, Sun X, Pei L, Wang T.Body mass index influences age-related cataracts: an updated meta-analysis and systemic review.Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2024 Apr 19;87(4):e2021. doi:10.5935/0004-2749.2021-0382Ang MJ, Afshari NA.Cataract and systemic disease: a review.Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2021;49(2):118-27. doi:doi.org/10.1111/ceo.13892Agrón E, Mares J, Clemons TE, et al.Dietary nutrient intake and progression to late age-related macular degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies 1 and 2.Ophthalmology. 2021;128(3):425-442. doi:10.1016%2Fj.ophtha.2020.08.018Sedaghat F, Ghanavati M, Hajian PN, Hajishirazi S, Ehteshami M, Rashidkhani B.Nutrient patterns and risk of cataract: a case-control study.Int J Ophthalmol. 2017;10(4):586. doi:10.18240%2Fijo.2017.04.14Wei L, Liang G, Cai C, et al.Association of vitamin C with the risk of age-related cataract: a meta-analysis.Acta Ophthalmol. 2016 May;94(3):e170-6. doi:10.1111/aos.12688Harvard Health Publishing.Top foods to help protect your vision.Zhang Y, Qin X, Xu T, Chu F, He B.Research progress on the correlation between cataract occurrence and nutrition.Front Nutr. 2024 Jul 1;11:1405033. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1405033Tewari D, Samoilă O, Gocan D, Mocan A, Moldovan C, Devkota HP,et al.Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Used in Cataract Management.Front Pharmacol. 2019 Jun 13;10:466. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00466
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common eye disorders.Wang D, Tang T, Li P, Zhao J, Shen B, Zhang M.The global burden of cataracts and its attributable risk factors in 204 countries and territories: a systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study.Front Public Health. 2024 Jun 12;12:1366677. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1366677Xu Y, Liang A, Zheng X, Huang Z, Li Q, Su T,et al.Sex-specific social, lifestyle, and physical health risk factors in cataracts development.Eye (Lond). 2024 Oct;38(15):2939-2946. doi:10.1038/s41433-024-03193-zChua SY, Luben RN, Hayat S, et al.Alcohol consumption and incident cataract surgery in two large UK cohorts.Ophthalmology. 2021;128(6):837-47. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.02.007Modenese A, Gobba F.Cataract frequency and subtypes involved in workers assessed for their solar radiation exposure: a systematic review.Acta Ophthalmol. 2018;96(8):779-88. doi:10.1111/aos.13734Murkey SP, Agarwal A, Pandit P, Kumar S, Jaiswal A.Unveiling the Spectrum of Ophthalmic Manifestations in Nutritional Deficiencies: A Comprehensive Review.Cureus. 2023 Dec 11;15(12):e50311. doi:10.7759/cureus.50311Garcia-Sayan E, Jain R, Wessly P, Mackensen GB, Johnson B, Quader N.Radiation Exposure to the Interventional Echocardiographers and Sonographers: A Call to Action.J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2024 Jul;37(7):698-705. doi:10.1016/j.echo.2024.03.002American Optometric Association.Comprehensive eye exams.Chen H, Sun X, Pei L, Wang T.Body mass index influences age-related cataracts: an updated meta-analysis and systemic review.Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2024 Apr 19;87(4):e2021. doi:10.5935/0004-2749.2021-0382Ang MJ, Afshari NA.Cataract and systemic disease: a review.Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2021;49(2):118-27. doi:doi.org/10.1111/ceo.13892Agrón E, Mares J, Clemons TE, et al.Dietary nutrient intake and progression to late age-related macular degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies 1 and 2.Ophthalmology. 2021;128(3):425-442. doi:10.1016%2Fj.ophtha.2020.08.018Sedaghat F, Ghanavati M, Hajian PN, Hajishirazi S, Ehteshami M, Rashidkhani B.Nutrient patterns and risk of cataract: a case-control study.Int J Ophthalmol. 2017;10(4):586. doi:10.18240%2Fijo.2017.04.14Wei L, Liang G, Cai C, et al.Association of vitamin C with the risk of age-related cataract: a meta-analysis.Acta Ophthalmol. 2016 May;94(3):e170-6. doi:10.1111/aos.12688Harvard Health Publishing.Top foods to help protect your vision.Zhang Y, Qin X, Xu T, Chu F, He B.Research progress on the correlation between cataract occurrence and nutrition.Front Nutr. 2024 Jul 1;11:1405033. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1405033Tewari D, Samoilă O, Gocan D, Mocan A, Moldovan C, Devkota HP,et al.Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Used in Cataract Management.Front Pharmacol. 2019 Jun 13;10:466. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00466
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common eye disorders.Wang D, Tang T, Li P, Zhao J, Shen B, Zhang M.The global burden of cataracts and its attributable risk factors in 204 countries and territories: a systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study.Front Public Health. 2024 Jun 12;12:1366677. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1366677Xu Y, Liang A, Zheng X, Huang Z, Li Q, Su T,et al.Sex-specific social, lifestyle, and physical health risk factors in cataracts development.Eye (Lond). 2024 Oct;38(15):2939-2946. doi:10.1038/s41433-024-03193-zChua SY, Luben RN, Hayat S, et al.Alcohol consumption and incident cataract surgery in two large UK cohorts.Ophthalmology. 2021;128(6):837-47. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.02.007Modenese A, Gobba F.Cataract frequency and subtypes involved in workers assessed for their solar radiation exposure: a systematic review.Acta Ophthalmol. 2018;96(8):779-88. doi:10.1111/aos.13734Murkey SP, Agarwal A, Pandit P, Kumar S, Jaiswal A.Unveiling the Spectrum of Ophthalmic Manifestations in Nutritional Deficiencies: A Comprehensive Review.Cureus. 2023 Dec 11;15(12):e50311. doi:10.7759/cureus.50311Garcia-Sayan E, Jain R, Wessly P, Mackensen GB, Johnson B, Quader N.Radiation Exposure to the Interventional Echocardiographers and Sonographers: A Call to Action.J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2024 Jul;37(7):698-705. doi:10.1016/j.echo.2024.03.002American Optometric Association.Comprehensive eye exams.Chen H, Sun X, Pei L, Wang T.Body mass index influences age-related cataracts: an updated meta-analysis and systemic review.Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2024 Apr 19;87(4):e2021. doi:10.5935/0004-2749.2021-0382Ang MJ, Afshari NA.Cataract and systemic disease: a review.Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2021;49(2):118-27. doi:doi.org/10.1111/ceo.13892Agrón E, Mares J, Clemons TE, et al.Dietary nutrient intake and progression to late age-related macular degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies 1 and 2.Ophthalmology. 2021;128(3):425-442. doi:10.1016%2Fj.ophtha.2020.08.018Sedaghat F, Ghanavati M, Hajian PN, Hajishirazi S, Ehteshami M, Rashidkhani B.Nutrient patterns and risk of cataract: a case-control study.Int J Ophthalmol. 2017;10(4):586. doi:10.18240%2Fijo.2017.04.14Wei L, Liang G, Cai C, et al.Association of vitamin C with the risk of age-related cataract: a meta-analysis.Acta Ophthalmol. 2016 May;94(3):e170-6. doi:10.1111/aos.12688Harvard Health Publishing.Top foods to help protect your vision.Zhang Y, Qin X, Xu T, Chu F, He B.Research progress on the correlation between cataract occurrence and nutrition.Front Nutr. 2024 Jul 1;11:1405033. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1405033Tewari D, Samoilă O, Gocan D, Mocan A, Moldovan C, Devkota HP,et al.Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Used in Cataract Management.Front Pharmacol. 2019 Jun 13;10:466. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00466
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common eye disorders.
Wang D, Tang T, Li P, Zhao J, Shen B, Zhang M.The global burden of cataracts and its attributable risk factors in 204 countries and territories: a systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study.Front Public Health. 2024 Jun 12;12:1366677. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1366677
Xu Y, Liang A, Zheng X, Huang Z, Li Q, Su T,et al.Sex-specific social, lifestyle, and physical health risk factors in cataracts development.Eye (Lond). 2024 Oct;38(15):2939-2946. doi:10.1038/s41433-024-03193-z
Chua SY, Luben RN, Hayat S, et al.Alcohol consumption and incident cataract surgery in two large UK cohorts.Ophthalmology. 2021;128(6):837-47. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.02.007
Modenese A, Gobba F.Cataract frequency and subtypes involved in workers assessed for their solar radiation exposure: a systematic review.Acta Ophthalmol. 2018;96(8):779-88. doi:10.1111/aos.13734
Murkey SP, Agarwal A, Pandit P, Kumar S, Jaiswal A.Unveiling the Spectrum of Ophthalmic Manifestations in Nutritional Deficiencies: A Comprehensive Review.Cureus. 2023 Dec 11;15(12):e50311. doi:10.7759/cureus.50311
Garcia-Sayan E, Jain R, Wessly P, Mackensen GB, Johnson B, Quader N.Radiation Exposure to the Interventional Echocardiographers and Sonographers: A Call to Action.J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2024 Jul;37(7):698-705. doi:10.1016/j.echo.2024.03.002
American Optometric Association.Comprehensive eye exams.
Chen H, Sun X, Pei L, Wang T.Body mass index influences age-related cataracts: an updated meta-analysis and systemic review.Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2024 Apr 19;87(4):e2021. doi:10.5935/0004-2749.2021-0382
Ang MJ, Afshari NA.Cataract and systemic disease: a review.Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2021;49(2):118-27. doi:doi.org/10.1111/ceo.13892
Agrón E, Mares J, Clemons TE, et al.Dietary nutrient intake and progression to late age-related macular degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies 1 and 2.Ophthalmology. 2021;128(3):425-442. doi:10.1016%2Fj.ophtha.2020.08.018
Sedaghat F, Ghanavati M, Hajian PN, Hajishirazi S, Ehteshami M, Rashidkhani B.Nutrient patterns and risk of cataract: a case-control study.Int J Ophthalmol. 2017;10(4):586. doi:10.18240%2Fijo.2017.04.14
Wei L, Liang G, Cai C, et al.Association of vitamin C with the risk of age-related cataract: a meta-analysis.Acta Ophthalmol. 2016 May;94(3):e170-6. doi:10.1111/aos.12688
Harvard Health Publishing.Top foods to help protect your vision.
Zhang Y, Qin X, Xu T, Chu F, He B.Research progress on the correlation between cataract occurrence and nutrition.Front Nutr. 2024 Jul 1;11:1405033. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1405033
Tewari D, Samoilă O, Gocan D, Mocan A, Moldovan C, Devkota HP,et al.Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Used in Cataract Management.Front Pharmacol. 2019 Jun 13;10:466. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00466
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
