Cataract and Healthy Diet, an Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure - A Mini-review

Abstract

A cataract is a major cause of reversible blindness worldwide. Nowadays, the only available treatment is the surgical removal of the cataractous lens. Several studies have found that oxidative stress has a significant role in reducing lenticular transparency by damaging certain proteins and enzymes inside the lens. Oxidative stress reflects an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. It occurs naturally as a part of the aging process resulting in structural and optical changes in the lens. Free radicals result from converting food into energy or exposure to environmental factors such as ultraviolet light, cigarette smoking, unhealthy diet, and certain chemicals. Healthy food contains several nutrients with an antioxidant effect that protects the eye from these harmful and unstable molecules.