Lifestyle modifications
NUTRITION
- Alcohol is a risk factor for cataract (1)
- Malnutrition is a risk factor for cataract (1)
- A healthy diet (high Healthy Eating Index) seems to reduce the risk of cataract (2)
- A diet rich in lutein and zeaxanthine is associated with reduced risk of cataract (2)
- The incidense risk ratios for cataract development with various diets compared to high meat diet (>100g/day) (3):
- Moderate meat eaters (50-99g/day): 0.96
- Low meat (< 50g/day): 0,85
- Pesco vegetarians: 0.79
- Lacto ovo vegetarians: 0.70
- Vegans: 0.60
- Vegetarian diets are associated with 20% reduced risk of cataract (4)
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
- Physical inactivity is a risk factor for cataract (1)
SMOKING
- Smoking is a risk factor for cataract (1)
- Some lense damage may be reversed if quitting smoking (1)
SUNLIGHT
- Sunlight exposure increases the risk of cataract (1)
References
1) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/cataract-in-adults
2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2896219/
3) https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/93/5/1128/4597843
4) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212267220314283
Resources
EXPLANATION TO EVIDENCE PRESENTATION
Evidence based on guidelines and evidence based Clinical Decision Systems is written in BOLD font
Evidence based on meta analysis or systematic reviews is written in BOLD and CURSIVE font
Evidence based on randomized controlled trials is written in PLAIN font
Evidence based on observational / cohort studies is written in CURSIVE font