Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness in the United States. There’s no sure-fire way to prevent them, but making some lifestyle changes might lower your odds of getting them.
You can’t do anything about your age or family history, but you can change your diet.
Some research shows that eating foods high in antioxidants like vitamins C and E may help prevent cataracts. If you already have cataracts, it may slow their growth.
Good sources of vitamin C include:
- Citrus (oranges, grapefruit, limes, etc.)
- Tomatoes and tomato juice
- Red and green peppers
- Kiwifruit
- Broccoli
- Strawberries
- Brussels sprouts
- Cantaloupe
- Potatoes
For vitamin E, look to vegetable oils like sunflower, safflower, or wheat germ. Nuts, especially almonds, are also good sources of vitamin E. So are peanuts. So are green veggies like spinach and broccoli. Some foods -- maybe even your favorite breakfast cereal -- contain extra vitamin E. Check the info on the package to be sure.
You may not have heard of lutein and zeaxanthin. These are two more vitamins that could help protect your eyes from cataracts. Eggs have them, as do green, leafy vegetables.
Make sure you eat fruits and veggies every day. Five servings can provide more than 100 milligrams of vitamin C and 5 to 6 milligrams of lutein and zeaxanthin. Just two servings of nuts can provide 8 to 14 milligrams of vitamin E. If you find it tough to fit all of this into your daily diet, consider multivitamins or supplements. But always talk to your doctor first.
You know that smoking is bad for your lungs and your heart, but it’s also really bad for your eyes. When it comes to cataracts, smoking is a risk factor you can control.
Smoking creates more free radicals in your eyes. These are chemicals that harm cells. Antioxidants -- all those good chemicals that you get from fruits and vegetables -- fight the bad chemicals. But smoking kills off the good chemicals. And it produces a lot of toxins that can cause cataracts.
If you kick the habit, it may help prevent cataracts, even if you’ve smoked a lot of cigarettes over a long period of time. Talk to your doctor about programs and medications that can help you quit.
If you don’t smoke, don’t start.
Sunglasses can make you look cool. They can also help cut your risk of getting cataracts.
Science shows that ultraviolet (UV) light can cause changes in your eyes. And researchers now know that UV light actually damages the proteins in your lens.
There are lots of options for sunglasses that look good and protect your eyes at the same time. When shopping for shades, look for the kind that:
- Block out 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays
- Screen out 75% to 90% of visible light
- Fit your face shape, with a frame that is close to your eyes
- Have a gray tint, which is helpful when driving
You don’t have to give up that glass of wine with dinner. But there is some evidence that drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk for cataracts.
Research has shown that if you drink fewer than two standard-size drinks each day, your odds of getting cataracts may be lower than if you never drank at all. But research also shows that drinking more than two drinks a day (about 20 grams of alcohol), raises those odds.
If you have diabetes, you know how important it is to keep your blood sugar under control. But did you know that it can also help prevent cataracts? That’s because people who have diabetes are more likely to develop the eye condition than people who don’t.
Your lens swells if your blood sugar stays too high for too long. Your lens also changes blood sugar into sorbitol. When this substance collects in the lens of your eye, you see less clearly, and a cataract may form.
Your eye doctor can spot problems early on. If you’re between 40 and 64, you should get a complete eye exam every 2 to 4 years. (A “complete” exam means your eye doctor will dilate your pupils).
If you’re over age 65, you should get an exam every 1 to 2 years.
If your odds are high for certain eye diseases, your eye doctor may want to see you more often.
Cataract surgery is a common procedure that is often performed in a day surgery, with the patient returning home within several hours of the operation. This article is designed to help you understand what to expect in the hours, days and weeks post-cataract surgery.
Immediately after cataract surgery
Before you leave the day surgery, you will be prescribed eye drops or other medication to prevent infection, reduce inflammation and control eye pressure. You will need to have a family member or friend with you to take you home. Once you get home, it is recommended that you rest your eyes and nap. Several hours post-surgery, most people are able to watch some television or look at a computer screen for a short period of time. Because cataract surgery is only performed on one eye at a time, you may notice an imbalance in your vision until the second eye is operated on (usually 1–4 weeks later).
Days after cataract surgery
It is normal for vision to be blurry in the beginning – your eye needs to heal and adjust. Vision will normally begin to improve within a few days of the surgery. It’s also normal for your eye to feel itchy and to experience mild discomfort for a couple of days – your doctor will ask you to wear an eye patch or protective shield at night to ensure you don’t rub your eye while you sleep. This discomfort should disappear after a few days.
Weeks after cataract surgery
While everyone is different, the average experience for the weeks following cataract surgery involves a gradual recovery of the eye. Adjustments in vision will occur for a few months after surgery.
Tips for post-cataract surgery
Although most people can resume everyday activities 24 hours after cataract surgery, there are a few instructions that you will be asked to follow. They include:
- Don’t do any strenuous activities for a few weeks. Avoid rigorous exercise and heavy lifting.
- Don’t drive. The length of time after cataract surgery before you can drive depends on a number of factors – your doctor will tell you when it is safe to resume driving.
- Follow your doctor’s orders regarding any antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops. These are important to prevent infection and inflammation and ensure proper healing. If you have difficulty in administering them, get a friend or family member to help you out.
- Stay away from dusty areas. It’s a great idea to have your house vacuumed and cleaned before surgery, as your eyes will be sensitive to airborne allergens such as dust.
- Don’t rub your eye. Eye rubbing is a quick way to develop a nasty infection. It’s never a good idea, even when you aren’t recovering from surgery.
- Don’t swim. It’s best to avoid swimming or hot tubs for a week after surgery.
- Don’t wear make-up. Ask your doctor when you can resume doing so.
Symptoms to watch for after cataract surgery
If you experience any of the following symptoms, please contact your ophthalmologist immediately:
- Vision loss
- Pain that persists despite the use of over-the-counter pain medications
- Light flashes or multiple spots (floaters) in front of your eye
- Nausea, vomiting or excessive coughing
No information here is intended to substitute for advice from a qualified medical practitioner. If you or someone else you know are about to have cataract surgery, make sure you ask your ophthalmologist to outline the best steps for recovery.
More information about cataract surgery
Learn more about cataracts and cataract surgery, and find clinics that perform cataract surgery in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.
Use the following link to find your nearest Vision Hospital Group day surgery location.
Ask a questionBook a consultation
The information on this page is general in nature. All medical and surgical procedures have potential benefits and risks. Consult your ophthalmologist for specific medical advice.
Featured Expert:
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Allen Omid Eghrari, M.D., M.P.H.
Millions of people each year undergo successful cataract surgery. Recovery from this procedure can be seamless as you ease back into your daily life. However, it’s important to take some general precautions to help you get through the healing process and have your vision restored on time. Allen Eghrari, ophthalmologist with the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine outlines five helpful tips to remember each day while recovering from cataract surgery.
Avoid rigorous exercise and activities that require heavy lifting for a couple of weeks to lower the chances of increasing your eye pressure. “High eye pressure can interfere with the incision before it fully heals,” says Eghrari. “Positions that put your head below your waist, such as bending over, can also increase eye pressure and should be avoided initially after surgery.”
Shield Yourself from Irritants or Trauma
“When you come home from surgery, it’s natural to feel like something is in your eye, like an eyelash or particle of sand,” says Eghrari. “The eyes can be sensitive to the environment for at least a week after surgery. Wraparound sunglasses will not only protect you from exposure to dust, dirt and pollen, but also help with sensitivity to light. Your eye doctor will also provide you with an eye shield for you to wear while sleeping during this recovery time, to eliminate touching or rubbing of your eyes.”
Keep Out of the Pool, and Shower Carefully
Exposure to water can put your eyes at risk of infection or irritation until your eye has healed from surgery. “Give yourself at least one night of sleep before showering, and prevent the stream of water from hitting your eyes directly,” says Eghrari. “Ask your doctor when it is safe to begin swimming or using a hot tub. In most cases, that will be a few weeks.”
Avoid Driving
Consult your eye doctor about when you can safely resume driving, based on your recovery. “Your world often looks brighter after cataract surgery,” says Eghrari. “You may find that sunglasses or a dedicated set of driving glasses can help to moderate the light entering the eye from bright headlights.”
Follow Doctor’s Orders
Be sure to ask your doctor about precautions you can take, such as those listed above, and proper timelines on when to resume normal daily activities. You should also contact your eye doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms after your surgery:
- Vision loss
- Eye pain
- Spots (floaters) or flashes in your vision
- Nausea, vomiting or excessive coughing
“Follow the dosage instructions of prescribed medications such as eye drops or pain relievers as directed,” says Eghrari. “Each eye and each person has specific needs, so your eye doctor will provide the best directions for a successful recovery.”