While no drink can cure existing cataracts (surgery is the only definitive treatment), certain beverages rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients may help reduce the risk or slow the progression of the condition.
Additionally, if you already have cataracts, these vitamins and nutrients may slow their progression.
Chinese and American scientists and ophthalmologists have found that a natural chemical may stop the development of cataracts, the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Named lanosterol, the chemical was found to be missing in children who had developed a rare form of childhood cataracts.
Orange Juice
This popular drink is rich in vitamin C. Increasing the level of vitamin C in your diet can help reduce your risk of developing cataracts, so starting some of your mornings with a glass of orange juice might be a great way to keep your eyes healthy.
How about red strawberries, orange tangerines, yellow peppers, green kale, indigo blueberries and purple eggplant? Try to choose organic fruit and eat the skins of fruits and vegetables since they are full of vitamins A, C and E, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin.
A cataract may be caused or accelerated by conditions such as injury, inflammation inside the eye, certain disorders of blood chemistry and some drugs.
Soft drinks, processed or fried foods, and sugary snacks should be avoided to the greatest extent possible. Unhealthy foods and beverages have been related to a higher incidence of cataracts, even in children.
Exercise regularly.
Your eyes need healthy blood circulation and oxygen to fuel good vision. Exercise—anything that gets your heart rate up and the blood pumping from a brisk walk to a run or a Zumba class—benefits your eyes because it promotes good circulation.
There isn't much you can do to slow down the development of cataracts once they have started. You can protect the overall health of your eyes with lifestyle choices. Diet and exercise can help manage conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, which can affect eye health.
11 delicious and nutritious natural drinks for a healthy eye vision
At what age do cataracts usually start? The proteins in your eye's lens start to break down around age 40. But you typically won't notice symptoms until age 60 or later. Certain medical conditions, like diabetes, may cause you to have symptoms sooner.
Castor oil is another popular remedy for different eye conditions, such as “dissolving” cataracts or curing eye floaters. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
The most common cataract eye drops include steroid drops (like prednisolone), antibiotic eye drops, and NSAID drops (like Prolensa). Talk to your ophthalmologist before using any additional eye drops, including over-the-counter options, like artificial tears.
Cataract Risk Factors
Lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health
Accumulating evidence indicates that lutein and zeaxanthin may play important roles in preventing and reducing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. These two carotenoids, which are highly concentrated in the macula, seem to filter out damaging radiation from sunlight.
Vitamin B2 and vitamin B3 are needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye. Vitamin B2 deficiency has been linked to cataracts. Older people taking 3 mg of vitamin B2 and 40 mg of vitamin B3 per day were partly protected against cataracts in one trial.
In rare cases, cataracts can worsen faster due to other eye conditions, such as diabetes-related changes or inflammation in the eye. That's why it's important to have regular eye exams, especially as you get older.
"Ultraviolet light can pass through the eye to the lens and cause cataracts," says Dr. Davis. "So, if you wear sunglasses, you decrease your risk over your lifetime of cataract formation."
Eggs are a high-quality protein recommended for most adults for a heart-healthy diet. In addition, egg yolks are high in zeaxanthin, a pigment that promotes eye health. One study found that for every 10 milligrams of zeaxanthin, patients experienced a 26 percent decrease in cataract development.
Eye Health through Good Eating & Good Snacking
Hypoxemia is low levels of oxygen in your blood. It causes symptoms like headache, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate and bluish skin. Many heart and lung conditions put you at risk for hypoxemia. It can also happen at high altitudes.
There are two main ways that you can achieve this: through LASIK surgery and through corrective lenses. Research from the National Institute of Health shows that about 35 percent of American adults have 20/20 vision without the aid of vision correction.
1. Citrus Fruits. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruit are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps the body form and maintain connective tissue, including collagen found in the cornea of the eye.
Avoid these 5 Worst Foods for Healthy Vision
Stress is not a direct cause of cataracts. However, stress can lead to other health problems that can increase your risk of developing them. For example, stress can cause high blood pressure, leading to diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that can increase your risk of developing cataracts.