Reducing Your Risk of Cataracts

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

En Español (Spanish Version)

You cannot stop cataracts that are from age. People over 60 should have an eye exam once every 1 to 2 years. You should have one more often if you have:

Diabetes
Glaucoma
High blood pressure
Rheumatoid arthritis or other problems with your immune system
Been taking steroid medicine
A family history of cataracts or other eye problems

Note: Talk to your doctor about how often you should get your eyes tested.

These steps may lower your risk:

Treat any health problems that you have.
Do not stay in the sun for too long. Wear a hat and UVA/UVB-blocking sunglasses.
If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how to quit.
Limit alcohol.
Wear safety glasses when you play sports.

REFERENCES:

Cataract. American Optometric Association website. Available at: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/cataract?sso=y. Accessed February 13, 2019.

Cataracts in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116240/Cataracts-in-adults. Updated November 28, 2016. Accessed May 10, 2017.

Facts about cataract. National Eye Institute website. Available at: https://nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts. Updated September 2015. Accessed February 13, 2019.

Informed consent: obtaining from patients undergoing surgery. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Updated September 14, 2018. Accessed February 13, 2019.

What are cataracts? American Academy of Ophthalmology website. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-cataracts. Updated November 9, 2018. Accessed February 13, 2019.

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Last reviewed December 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review BoardJames P. Cornell, MD
Last Updated: 2/13/2019

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