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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 "That's still in the testing stages, but it could eliminate some of the distortion that patients complain of," Steinemann said.
While the advances are reassuring, no one wants to get cataracts in the first place. The bad news is, virtually everyone eventually will get them.
"It's almost inevitable that if you live long enough, you will get cataracts," Schwartz said.
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If you want to forestall the onset of cataracts, the best thing you can do is pick up a pair of sunglasses.
"Cataracts are caused in most people by a lifetime of damage caused by ultraviolet radiation," Steinemann said.
He recommends that everyone -- even children -- wear good sunglasses with ultraviolet protection when they're out in the sun.
Diabetes can be a contributing factor to cataracts as well, especially if left untreated.
You also should protect your eyes when necessary, because trauma can spur the early onset of cataracts.
"Wearing eye protection is an easy thing to do, and it's critical," Steinemann said. He suggests wearing safety glasses or goggles at work, playing sports, participating in hobbies, or indulging in any activity that causes risk to your eyes.
Finally, smoking also puts you at risk for cataracts, Schwartz said.
"In the center core of the lens, the nucleus becomes harder and more yellow with people who smoke," he said.
More information
To learn more about cataracts, visit the National Institute of Health's National Eye Institute (www.nei.nih.gov ). Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 | 3
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