by Dawn Hawkins

Created on: September 17, 2010

Cataracts are an eye problem that generally happens with the elderly. It is also one of the leading causes of blindness in the elderly. A cloudy film begins to cover the lens of the eye. There is no way to correct the problem other than a surgical procedure to remove the clouded lens and replace it with an intraocular lens. It is important for everyone to understand the implications of cataracts and take steps early on to prevent cataracts from occurring later in life.

There are ways to prevent cataracts through diet and supplements. It appears that people who eat a diet which is higher in antioxidants don't have as high a risk for cataracts as those who don't. Adding a supplement of anti-oxidants to your diet along with adding foods to your diet that have a higher antioxidant content could only be good for your eye health.

Ideal foods to help prevent the onset of cataracts are foods high in beta-carotene, vitamin a, selenium, vitamin C and Vitamin E. It has long been suggested that beta-carotene is good for the eyes. It boils down to eating a healthy diet. Your eyes are at risk just like the rest of your body. It is also recommended that high sodium diets (salty) be lowered. High sodium in your diet puts you at risk for heart disease and other health problems as well.

Cataracts don't have to be a part of getting older. The fact that blindness can and will occur in patients with cataracts should spur you to consider changing your diet to include foods that help prevent the problem from ever occurring. There are also supplements available at any drug store or grocery store that sells vitamins. You could still get cataracts, but the chances are greatly lowered if you make that simple change in your diet. Why risk blindness if there is a way to lower the risk?

Cataracts surgery is a fairly common surgery today. It isn't something that you will want to have to go through if you don't have to. Eating foods rich in antioxidants is one way to stave off the surgery that so many elderly people have to have at some point in their life. Starting to eat correctly while you are still young will give you a better chance of not getting cataracts as you age. Don't wait until you are already showing the signs of cataracts to eat right and take supplements that can help. By then, it might be too late.

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