6 Ways To Maintain Eye Health To Prevent Cataracts

Illustration of how to prevent cataracts (Freepic)

YOGYAKARTA Maintaining eye health can help prevent cataracts. Cataract risk factors cannot be rejected, because they are associated with an aging age. According to the National Eye Institute, more than half of Americans are 80 years old or more suffering from cataracts and have undergone cataract operations. In Indonesia, according to data submitted by the Indonesian Eye Specialist Competition and Balitbangkes in 2022, the blindness rate in 15 provinces reached 3 percent. As many as 81 percent of them are due to cataracts.

Given that the number of people with high cataracts and blindness in Indonesia is the highest in Southeast Asia, it is important to start maintaining eye health. Although it is very difficult to prevent cataracts because genetics and age are carriers who play a role. However, to reduce the risk or delay cataracts, it can be done by following habits.

Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun can cause damage to your eyes, leading to the development of the cataract. At a microscopic level, UV rays induce oxidative damage. When this happens, destructive molecules called free radicals can interfere with proteins in your lens and cause them to clot.

Wearing sunglasses and a hat on the edge while you're in the sun can help minimize the amount of destructive UV light that reaches your eyes. For the best protection, wear sunglasses that offer 100 percent UV protection from UVA and UVB.

Chemicals in cigarette smoke can have a negative impact on many parts of your body, including your eyes. People who smoke have a two to three times higher risk of being exposed to cataracts than non-smokers, reported by Healthline, Tuesday, March 28. In addition to increasing the risk of being exposed to cataracts, smoking is also related to other types of eye damage called age-related macular degeneracy.

Eating nutritious food with lots of fruit and vegetables and processed foods can at least help reduce the risk of being exposed to cataracts. This was proven in the 2019 study that foods are more effective in preventing cataracts than nutritional supplements.

That way, balance the consumption of antioxidants from vitamin C and vitamin E which have the ability to fight free radicals that damage healthy cells. Fruits and vegetables containing zeaxanthin and lutein are also useful in prevention. In addition, reduce sweet foods to avoid the risk of developing type 2 diabetes which is associated with five times more exposure to cataracts.

Injuries to your eyes are another risk factor for cataracts. Wearing proper safety glasses during exercise and other activities can protect your eyes from injury and reduce the risk of cataracts.

A 2022 study attributes the habit of drinking alcohol to an increase in the catatric rosoko. The results of the study found that significant risks occur in more than 90 drinks per year in men and 40 drinks per year in women. This means that minimizing consumption of alcoholic beverages can reduce the risk of being exposed to cataracts.

Cataracts and other eye disease may not have symptoms that can be seen in the early stages. To protect the health of your eyes, it is important to check your eyes regularly, especially with age.

That's how to prevent contracting by maintaining overall eye health.