Are cataracts more likely to occur as you age? Here's why

Many middle-aged and elderly friends experience a gradual decline in vision as they age, and some people even suffer from cataracts. So why are they more likely to get cataracts as they get older?

Senile cataract

Cao Xiangrong, director of Tianjin University Aier Eye Hospital, said that under normal circumstances, the human lens is transparent, but with age, the elasticity and transparency of the lens gradually decrease, and the ability to accommodate decreases. When the lens opacity reaches a certain level, it will develop into cataracts.

In addition, long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays will also cause the lens to age. Some older people will begin to develop metabolic diseases such as diabetes, which will aggravate the aging and degeneration of the lens.

The occurrence of cataracts is related to many factors such as environment, nutrition, metabolism and genetics. Cataracts may have a single cause or be the result of multiple factors working together. It is recommended that middle-aged and elderly friends pay more attention to eye care.

Can cataracts be prevented?

Although cataracts, especially senile cataracts, are inevitable, their progression can be slowed down through good living habits.

1. Pay attention to sun protection. When doing outdoor activities, try to wear a sun hat or sunglasses to reduce the damage of ultraviolet rays to the lens.

2. Balanced nutrition. Pay more attention to nutritional matching in diet, avoid single diet, actively participate in physical exercise, and enhance resistance.

3. Pay attention to eye examinations. Patients with metabolic diseases such as diabetes should undergo regular eye examinations. If they are found to have other eye diseases, they must be treated promptly to reduce the risk of cataracts.