It’s a new year. 2014 is finally here. What’s your New Year’s Resolution? If you are like most of us, your goal is probably to eat better and get in shape. It’s an oldie, but a goodie. A healthy diet is beneficial for so many reasons: it’s good for your heart, it can help you lose weight, and it is even good for your eyesight.
A recent study of more than 1,800 women ages 50 to 79 suggests that a healthy diet, featuring fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, could lower the risk of nuclear cataracts in women by 37%. The study was published in the June 2010 issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
What are Nuclear Cataracts?
As we age, our eyes undergo natural wear and tear, resulting in the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. This clouding is known as cataracts and is a normal part of the aging process. A nuclear cataract is the most common type of cataract, beginning with a gradual hardening and yellowing of the central zone of the lens, also known as the nucleus. Over time, this hardening and yellowing will expand to the other layers of the lens.
Other types of cataracts include subcapsular cataracts and cortical cataracts.
If we live long enough, we will all develop cataracts at some point in our lives. In fact, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “more than 20 million Americans 40 and older have cataracts” and half of all Americans will develop cataracts by age 80.
“I like to compare cataracts to the clear plastic window in the back of a convertible car,” said board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles, M.D. “After years of exposure to sun and weather, the plastic becomes yellow and cloudy.”
Facts about Cataracts
- Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among adults 55 and older.
- Nearly half of all adults will develop cataracts by age 80.
- Acquired cataracts account for over 99% of all cataracts. Congenital cataracts account for less than 1%.
- Cataracts surgery is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States.
If you have any questions about Cataracts or wish to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or visiting AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!
For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.
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