Cataract affects 30% of people over the age of 65 in the UK and is the most common cause of blindness worldwide. They form when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, often due to ageing or other factors, gradually affecting your ability to see clearly. 

If left untreated, it can worsen over time, leading to blindness. This is why it's important to take preventive steps and consult a specialist at the first sign of cataracts, as it may slow their progression. 

In this article, we’ll discuss whether lifestyle modifications can effectively protect your eyes, the role of medical treatments in managing cataracts, and the latest research on cataract treatment.

Lifestyle changes and expert advice to slow cataract progression 

Dr. Michele Lee, a board-certified ophthalmologist, explains that while there's no guaranteed way to fully prevent cataracts, surgery can be a life-changing experience when the time comes. 

She often hears from patients after surgery who are happy with the results and wish they’d opted for it sooner. But there are certain steps Dr. Michele recommends to slow down your cataract development:

Protect your eyes from UV rays

Wearing sunglasses is one of the most effective ways to protect your eyes. UV light exposure can harm proteins in the eye's lens and cause them to clump together and form cataracts over time. 

According to the World Health Organisation, or WHO, 10% of cataracts worldwide are linked to excessive UV exposure. So, make it a habit to wear sunglasses whenever you go outside, especially on sunny days.

Reduce your alcohol consumption

Dr. Michele suggests that limiting alcohol can benefit eye health. Heavy drinking generates free radicals that may cause proteins in your eye’s lens to clump together, which can lead to cataracts. 

According to a study, drinking alcohol significantly increased the risk of cataracts.¹ 

Interestingly, some studies suggest that moderate consumption of red wine might offer protective effects due to its antioxidants. People who drank red wine five or more times per week had a 23% lower risk of developing cataracts compared to non-drinkers.²

Avoid smoking and smoke exposure

Smoking increases free radicals in your eyes, which damage the proteins and cause deposits to form on the eye’s lens, leading to cataracts. 

According to the Food and Drug Administration or FDA, smokers are two to three times more likely to develop cataracts than non-smokers. 

But smoking isn't the only risk factor; in fact, smoke from indoor cooking can also contribute to early cataract development, as research from Nepal and India has shown.³ 

But you can reduce this risk by using cleaner-burning fuels and making sure you have proper ventilation in your kitchen when cooking.

Stay healthy by improving your habits

Health conditions such as diabetes can speed up cataract development. High blood sugar increases sugar levels in the eye, causing the lens to swell, which can lead to cataracts over time. 

Diabetic patients face up to five times the risk of developing early cataracts, along with other eye and health issues.⁴

To help reduce your risk, here are some tips:

• Keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range through diet, exercise, and medication
• Focus on foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants, like leafy greens, berries, and nuts, as these can help protect your eye health
• Get regular eye check-ups as they can detect cataracts and other eye conditions and can prevent further damage
• Regular physical activity helps manage blood sugar levels and supports overall health, including eye health

Eat a balanced and healthy diet

A balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants can help protect eye health and slow cataract progression.⁵ Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, is a powerful antioxidant that helps lower the risk of cataracts.⁶ 

Vitamin E, found in nuts and leafy greens, also protects the eye from oxidative damage.⁷ Adding more nuts, leafy greens, or a Vitamin E supplement to your diet may help support eye health.

A clinical study of 50 patients with cataracts found that a combination of bilberry and vitamin E prevented cataract progression in up to 96% of cases.⁸

However, large-scale research by the Cochrane Collaboration, which studied nearly 120,000 people, found that a regular, well-balanced diet usually provides sufficient vitamins, and taking extra supplements doesn’t necessarily prevent or slow cataracts.⁹

Lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids found in foods like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard, may also help protect the eyes from UV light and blue light, reducing the risk of cataracts.¹⁰ 

A high intake of lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet is linked to a 23% lower risk of developing nuclear cataracts.¹¹ 

Studies also show that men and women who consume around 4 to 6 mg of these carotenoids daily experience lower rates of cataract surgeries. This suggests that intake of lutein and zeaxanthin can help reduce the occurrence of cataracts and may also slow their progression.¹²

Effective medical treatments for cataracts

N-acetyl carnosine (NAC) eye drops 

One emerging treatment for cataracts is N-acetyl Carnosine (NAC) eye drops. These drops contain L-carnosine, a protein with antioxidant effects that may help prevent or slow cataract development.^13,14,15

A study found that after six months of using NAC eye drops, 90% of treated eyes showed improved vision, with some experiencing up to 100% improvement. These drops also helped improve glare sensitivity, making it easier for patients to see in bright light.¹⁶

Cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is a highly advanced procedure that helps improve vision and makes daily activities easier for many people. Approximately 95% of patients see better after the surgery. 

In this procedure, your eye doctor will remove your cloudy natural lens and replace it with an artificial lens that remains in your eye permanently. There are various artificial lens options available, and you can discuss these with your doctor.

One of the advantages of an artificial lens is that it is clear, just like a healthy natural lens. Plus, it can correct refractive errors, which means you may depend less on glasses or contact lenses after the surgery.

However, some complications can occur. The most common issues are cloudy vision after surgery and swelling in the eye. Rare complications include a severe eye infection and a tear in the retina. 

Will there ever be a non-surgical treatment for surgery?

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered a protein, RNF114, that may offer a way to reverse cataracts in humans without surgery. However, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

In animal studies on squirrels and rats, the RNF114 protein was found to help maintain clear vision by regulating healthy protein levels in the eye. 

The RNF114 protein helps keep the eye lens clear by removing damaged proteins that can build up and cause cloudiness, which leads to cataracts. 

By clearing away these damaged proteins, RNF114 helps maintain a transparent lens, allowing light to pass through properly and supporting clear vision. This process is important for preserving good vision and preventing cataracts.

Right now, cataract surgery is the only effective treatment. This discovery could provide an alternative, especially for people in areas where surgery is not accessible.¹⁷

FAQs

What role do antioxidants play in cataract prevention?

Antioxidants can help prevent cataracts by stopping the clouding of the eye's lens. When there are too many reactive oxygen species, they can harm the proteins in the lens, leading to cataract formation.

Can eye exercises help improve vision or slow cataract development?

Many people think eye exercises can improve vision or treat eye conditions. While there's limited evidence to show they enhance vision, eye exercises can still be beneficial.¹⁸ 

They may help relieve eye strain, support certain eye conditions, and promote overall eye health. Eye exercises can be especially useful for those who experience digital eye strain from prolonged computer use.

Summary

Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness, especially among people over 65. While surgery is an effective treatment, certain lifestyle changes may slow their progression. 

These include wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, and managing health conditions like diabetes. 

A diet rich in antioxidants, including Vitamin C and E, and carotenoids like lutein, may also support eye health. In addition to these preventative measures, treatments such as non-surgical cataract reversal using a protein called RNF114, currently under research, offer promising alternatives. 

Together, these options provide a balanced approach to maintaining eye health and slowing cataract progression.