What Are Cataracts and How Can We Prevent Them

August is cataract awareness month and we’ve teamed up with the Sankara Eye Foundation, a non-profit organization in California that strives hard to extinguish curable blindness in India, to encourage you to prevent cataracts and keep your eyes healthy.


The Sankara Eye Foundation has carried out over 1.5 million free eye surgeries and has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator. By donating your car to the SEF, you can help eliminate curable blindness and empower women in India who account for a high percentage of the workforce there.



What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are produced when the transparent lens inside the eye grows hazy or cloudy. This process is slow and it’s quite typical as one ages. Surgery is the only proven treatment when a cataract gets to the point where it impairs your vision. Some things linked to causing cataracts are exposure to ultraviolet light and smoking. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes or certain medications have also been shown to cause cataracts.



Four Ways to Help Prevent Cataracts


1. Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol Consumption

Smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol in excess have both been shown in scientific studies to increase your chance of developing cataracts.



2. Eat Better

Keeping your blood sugar at a healthy level is important for your vision health. Scientific research has suggested that persons with diabetes are at a greater risk in developing cataracts. Vitamin supplements and foods high in antioxidants can also help deter the growth of cataracts.



3. Eye Protection

Wear UV blocking sunglasses as ultraviolet light can accelerate the formation of cataracts.



4. Regular Eye Doctor Visits

Be sure to schedule eye exams every year. Consistent visits allow your eye doctor to look for signs of macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and other vision disorders. Detecting these early on may save your eyesight!

Source: Donate a car