Cataracts & Eye Health
Updated Jul. 06th, 2026 | Read Time: 3 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- What Are Cataracts?
- Who is Affected By Cataracts?
- What Causes Cataracts?
- Cataract Treatment & Prevention Tips
- Nutritional Information
- Reader Comments (8)
A cataract acts like a dirty camera lens. It causes blurred, foggy, and distorted vision. Many people with cataracts often become restricted in daily activities because of this, including restrictions on driving, reading, using a computer or merely watching television. Treatment for cataracts includes natural supplements. People may use them for prevention or alongside surgery.
What Are Cataracts?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens. It is the most common cause of blindness worldwide. Doctors successfully treat most cataracts with surgery in developed countries. Some people also use preventative supplements to support eye health.
Who is Affected By Cataracts?
Aging commonly causes cataracts, especially in older adults. Senile cataracts develop from long-term exposure to free radical damage in the eyes. Free radicals are unstable molecules that bond uncontrollably to other healthy cells to achieve stability. This bonding causes damage to body tissues that is sort of like rust on metal. Ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun can generate free radicals in the body. Food, water, and nutrient depletion from over-farming also contribute.
What Causes Cataracts?
Factors that predispose one to the development of cataracts are old age, diabetes, exposure to radiation or heavy metals, eye injury, the use of medications like steroids and heredity.
Cataract Treatment & Prevention Tips
Treatment of cataracts with surgery is effective, but this does not mean that cataracts have to be inevitable. There are many clinically proven alternative ways to reduce the likelihood of developing a cataract.
To prevent cataracts, avoid direct sunlight. Use sunglasses with full UV protection to protect your eyes. Avoid drug therapies that predispose you to cataract formation, for example, prednisone.
Smoking generates large amounts of free radicals and is thought to be a risk factor for cataract formation. Reducing your free radical exposure can dramatically reduce the likelihood that you will develop serious cataracts in your lifetime.
A diet high in antioxidants, including whole grains, raw fruits, and raw vegetables, decreases free radical damage. Eat foods containing lutein and zeaxanthin like broccoli, collards, kale, mustard greens, spinach and turnip greens. Eat foods rich in flavonoids and vitamins C and E, like blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and other fruits and vegetables. Yellow fruits and vegetables should be consumed for their vitamin A content. Drink lots of filtered water. Avoid chlorinated and fluoridated water.
It is important to remember that the formation of cataracts is a sign of overall free radical exposure to your body. Eyes show oxidative damage early due to high sensitivity. Cataracts may also indicate broader free radical damage elsewhere in the body.
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Protect your eyes! Yes, sometimes they can be repaired, but it will never be the same again once they start to deteriorate. My dad had cataracts fixed about 25 years ago. Since then, he has had to have them done again twice more. In addition, he has had both lens replaced. Even right after each surgery, he says that he just can't see the same. The worst part is losing night vision. He's scared to drive at night now.
My mother has cataract surgery recently so I am concerned to avoid this condition, as I already have sensitive eyes due to blue light from laptop use. I have light sensitivity i both eyes especially driving at night. I can't do it anymore due to headlights of other cars being too bright as well as traffic lights. I avoid night driving because of my eyes. I take lutein softgels almost daily. Bilberry as well often mixed with Gingko and Gotu Kola tea as they all go well together. Vitamin c with bioflavonoids mix well here. I drink carrot juice with my lutein and zeaxanthin). I take glutathione as well often mixed with grape seed extract. I have reservation as well.
Hello Kaveh,
Hope your mother has recovered well. Being proactive about your eye health is important to keep them healthy, especially with all the screens we look at. You can learn more about eye health here: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/eye-health/
My Nana in her old age is suffering cateracts and my Mother is caring for her. My Mother wants to support her own eye health, and, of course, to support the health of my Nana's eyes the best she can. Orange bell peppers are amazing as they are one of the few foods that naturally is very rich in BOTH lutein and zeaxanthin, so my Mother makes sure to include these in both her own and my Nana's diet. Your supplements list gives several great ideas that I think my Mother would be interested in reading more about. Thank you for putting together this great resource!
Hello Rachel,
Sorry to hear your Nana has cataracts. Thank you for sharing what has been helping your Nana and what you have been trying. Indeed, lutein and zeaxanthin are great nutrients for eye health. You can learn more about safeguarding your eye health in general with this article: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/eye-health/
The saying says that wisdom comes with old age. But there are lots of not great things that come with old age. That includes cataracts! But it is good, that they are avoidable. I like that the main components for a healthy eye can be found in health food. I like kale and broccolli a lot. I dont like most raw vegetables but can work on that. It is good raw fruit is healthful for this, especially Vitamin C-rich food. These are the types of fruit I like most. I will go through the things, that I eat in my diet. And, I will if I do not have a component, add a supplement or try to fix it. Cataracts sound bad and so I do not want them!