Cataracts are proven to be the leading cause of blindness in the world. Losing vision often means living a poor-quality life that impacts not only the person affected by the cataract but the family and even the community. The debilitating effect that cataract-induced blindness causes has been noticed by philanthropist Tej Kohli and eye surgeon Dr Sanduk Ruit. They have launched the Tej Kholi & Ruit Foundation to provide free-of-cost cataract eye surgery to at least 50,000 people in the most underserved regions of the world.
Despite the noble effort of noble-hearted Tej Kohli, often referred to as the ‘God of Sight, Dr Ruit, the devastation that cataract-blindness wreaks will continue unless people become conscious of ways to lower the risks of developing cataracts.
6 Tips on How to Lower the Risks of Cataracts Naturally
It’s always better to be cautious than sorry because once a cataract develops, there is no way to reverse it. The only cure is surgery. However, there are a few ways through which it can be stalled or the risk of contracting it can be lowered.
- Protect The Eyes From Radiation (UV)
Wearing sunglasses during the day is not a style statement but a necessity to protect the eyes from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. At times, wearing UV-protected sunglasses or contact lenses might not be economically feasible, but with the help of a scarf or wide-brimmed hat, the harmful rays of the sun can be blocked. It has been proven that UV radiation increases the risk of cataracts.
- Proper Diet
Lowering the risk of cataracts does not mean one needs to have expensive food or an inaccessible diet. Easily available foods like spinach, leafy green vegetables often referred to as collard greens, kale, green tea, vegetables like carrots and broccoli, and fruits like oranges can prove beneficial in slowing the development of cataracts with age.
- Controlling Blood Sugar
At times, blood sugar is a hereditary condition, but it can still be controlled with a healthy diet and medication. It has been studied that the cataract condition is higher among people with poor sugar control diets and medications compared to those who ensure better glycemic control.
- Quit Smoking
It is a known fact that smoking causes various ailments, and it is now proven that it increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. The free radicals that are released due to smoking in the body increase the cataract formation risk as well as the progression of it by three times.
- Unwarranted Use of Steroids
In most developing countries, steroids are used to cure even minor issues, and chemists prescribe them as over-the-counter medication. Though steroid is a life-saving drug, it has harmful side effects, one of which is the early onset of cataracts when taken without proper medical advice and supervision.
- Regular Eye Check-Up
Unless there are some issues with the eyes, like blurring, prolonged itching, watering of the eyes, etc., a visit to an ophthalmologist is rarely scheduled. Once the age of forty is reached, a routine visit to the eye doctor is a must, who can identify the early signs of cataracts, vision disorders, glaucoma, or macular degeneration. Early intervention means the probability of losing eyesight because of any such issues, mainly cataracts, is lessened.
Is There A Way To Get Eyesight Back After Cataract?
Often, cataracts are associated with old age, but there are cases where even newborns and children can develop them. When left untreated, it will result in blindness. While these six tips can help thwart the advancement of cataracts, they cannot offer a 100% guarantee that the ailment won’t happen. However, modern technology and science have the remedy, i.e., cataract surgery, which can cure the vision problem. Furthermore, Mr Tej Kohli and Dr Sanduk Ruit have made it their mission to create a sustainable world by curing as many people as possible with free cataract eye surgery with their non-profit organisation, the Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation.
