What can I do to decrease my risk of getting cataracts?

Hi Hwee Leng,

Thank you for your D2D. Yes, there are some scientific discussions on the prevention of cataract through the use of anti-oxidants and ultraviolet (UV) protection.

Close up of cataract during eye examination

Other preventive measures include wearing protective eye wear when playing racquet games such as squash and badminton to shield your eyes from any accidental injuries.

I often advise my patients to wear sunglasses with UV protection when outdoors to decrease exposure to the harmful UV rays and protective eyewear at work where they are exposed to heat and particles.

It is most important to consult your ophthalmologist and have your eyes checked if you are experiencing blurring of vision.

Cataracts can be due to long term UV exposure when we are young. We need to have good habits of wearing sunglasses to protect from the UV radiation, eat well, and smoke less because these factors increase the risk of getting cataracts. The use of steroids can also result in cataracts sooner. However, if we have a healthy lifestyle and eat healthy fruits and vegetables, cataract will usually come at a much older age.