A cataract is the primary cause of blindness. Cataract treatment includes removing the cloudy lens surgically and replacing it with an artificial lens (IOL) through cataract surgery in Los Angeles.
The real cause of cataracts is unknown. However, experts believe that oxidative stress can damage certain enzymes and proteins in the natural lens of the eye, making the lens cloudy.
Although some studies have yielded conflicting results, others have shown that a healthy diet that is rich in antioxidants and specific vitamins is associated with reducing the risk of cataracts or their development.
Read the article below to know how a healthy diet can save you from the cost of cataract surgery in Los Angeles.
Diet, oxidative stress and cataract
Oxidative stress occurs when destructive free radicals are imbalanced between the antioxidants that roam the body and the antioxidants that stop them.
A diet with a lot of fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cataracts later in your life.
A free radical is usually an oxygen molecule that stabilizes itself by absorbing electrons from another unit. The process does not stop here, the same molecule absorbs electrons from another molecule and so on.
Free radicals can get electrons from normal healthy organs and other tissue cells, thereby harming the human body. The process of taking electrons from healthy cells is called oxidation.
In the eye, oxidation can affect the proteins and fats in the lens, causing the lens to become damaged and cloudy, thereby forming cataracts. Preventing free radical damage from healthy foods, especially those containing antioxidants, may help slow this process down.
Eating unhealthy foods and exposure to pollution or chemicals, smoking, and UV radiation can damage free radicals in our eyes and other parts of the body.
Certain free radicals are produced by normal daily metabolism, which means that even people without these risk factors should be seeking to absorb more antioxidants from healthy foods.
Healthy food and cataract prevention
People who adhere to a healthy diet (including colorful fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) may reduce the risk of cataracts.
Antioxidants and vitamins in fruits and vegetables reduce cataracts risks. Eating fish that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids may also be associated with reducing the risk of cataracts or their development.
Here is a sample from a recent study that suggests a healthy diet and specific eye vitamins may help prevent cataracts.
More than 30,000 women aged 49 and older completed a diet questionnaire and observed that the average time to develop age-related cataracts was 7.7 years.
In the study population, the main contributors to dietary TAC were fruits and vegetables (44.3%), whole grains (17.0%), and coffee (15.1%).
Australian researchers have found that a high-carb diet may increase the risk of cataracts. An assessment of the eating habits of more than 1,600 adults shows that the top 25% of total carbohydrate eaters is three times more likely to have cataracts than that of 25 % who eat less carbohydrate.
A survey of adult women in the United States found that eating foods rich in multivitamins and minerals may help slow the development of cataracts. In another study published in the same journal, the same researchers found that diets rich in lutein and zeaxanthin were associated with a certain degree of reduced cataract prevalence in older women.
A 10-year long study of more than 2,400 adults in Australia found that high intakes or a combination of multiple antioxidants reduced the risk of cataracts in this population.
A study of feminine health professionals in the United States found that intake of lutein and zeaxanthin in a diet was associated with significantly reduced risk of cataracts.
Although all the nutrients in the study related to cataract prevention can be found in eye vitamins and vision supplements, many experts believe that these substances should be obtained from a healthy diet and not from nutritional supplements.
However, if your diet lacks vital nutrients because you don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. Then it is wise to consider taking one or more daily nutritional supplements to ensure you get all the nutrients you need to get the best eye health.
Before you start taking eye vitamins and other nutritional supplements, consult your ophthalmologist. In some cases, making too much of a particular vitamin or nutrient can be harmful to your health.
Adjust your diet for good vision
A healthy diet for aiding eyesight includes:
- A daily serving of fruits and vegetables
- At least three meals of 100% whole grains per day
- At least two fish per week
The total calorie consumption should be based on the level of metabolism, which is critical to maintaining a healthy weight.
Green and colorful fruits and vegetables are an essential source of antioxidants that are good for the eyes. To maintain a healthy diet, it is also important to avoid fried foods, processed foods, sugary snacks and soft drinks-all of which seem to increase the risk of cataracts, obesity, and other health problems.
Giving up on oily fast food, fries, sweets, snacks, and soft drinks may not be easy but it is very effective for your health. Once you get used to eating fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, and other healthy foods, you won’t miss junk food anymore. And your reward may be both a healthy body and a good vision for a lifetime.
Protect eyes from UV rays
When taking steps to reduce the risk of cataracts, it is essential to know that dietary changes alone are not enough.
It is also essential to protect your eyes from the primary source of harmful UV radiation (the sun). In addition to wearing a wide-brimmed hat to protect your eyes from direct sunlight, consider the following UV protection glasses options:
Polarized sunglasses. Polarized sunglasses provide 100% UV protection and are available in a variety of colors and shades.
Photochromic lenses. All Vision brand lenses and other photochromic lenses are visible indoors, will automatically darken in sunlight, and always provide 100% UV protection.
UV-resistant contact lenses. Many soft contact lenses at least partially protect against UV rays, preventing them from entering the back of the eye. However, blocking UV exposure should only be considered as a supplementary defense against UV as they only protect the area of the eye covered by the lens.
For the best choice of treatment, however, consult a refractive surgeon for a possible cataract surgery.
Go to the ophthalmologist and/or refractive surgeon
The only way to determine if your eyes are healthy and free of cataracts is to see your eye doctor for a regular eye exam.
If you need cataract surgery in Los Angeles, you should consult one of the best cataract surgeons such as Dr. Ferzaad Moosa of Excel Laser Vision Institute. Call us at (866) 923-9235 for a free consultation today.
