Reducing Your Risk of Cataracts
by Rick Alan
Approximately half of all Americans between the ages of 65 and 75 have cataracts. At this time, there is no way to prevent age-related cataracts, but early diagnosis improves treatment outcomes. So, if you are over age 60, you should have an eye examination at least once every two years. You should have an eye examination once every year if you have any additional risk factors for cataracts, such as:
- Diabetes
- Glaucoma
- Hypertension
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Any medical condition that requires you to take steroid medications for a long period of time
- A family history of cataracts
The following measures may help reduce your risk of cataracts:
- Avoiding excess exposure to radiation
- Avoiding excess exposure to sunlight (Wear UVA/UVB blocking sunglasses whenever in bright sunlight)
- Don't smoke
- Wear protective eye wear when participating in sports to help avoid eye injury
SOURCES:
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
The Merck Manual of Medical Information,
17th edition. Simon and Schuster, Inc.;2000.
National Eye Institute
Last reviewed October 2003 by Marc Ellman, MD
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