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Reducing Your Risk of Cataracts

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

En Español (Spanish Version)

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Reducing Your Risk

Talking to Your Doctor

Living With Cataracts

Resource Guide

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.

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

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