As you age, one of the worst changes that can occur in your body is the development of cataracts. For those who’ve managed to hold onto perfect or near-perfect vision for the majority of their life, cataracts can be a disruptive change in their life. Vision becomes blurry, and if the progression does not see change, you may even be rendered blind. Further, those who already have a vision impairment may be more susceptible to developing cataracts and blindness. While there are treatments available to fix cataracts, it’s often better to limit your chances of developing them in the first place. To assist you, here are four lifestyle changes you can do right now to decrease the chances of developing cataracts.

Stop Smoking

If you happen to smoke, then there’s no time like the present to quit this unhealthy habit. Not only can smoking damage your overall health, but it can actually exacerbate the damage in your eye. In fact, regular smokers were often found to have a three times more likely chance of developing cataracts. Smoking isn’t worth the health consequences that come with it. Quit now to preserve your body later.

Reduce Sun Exposure

While you should always get outside for a few minutes, you don’t really need to stay out in the sun all that long. Ultraviolet light that the sun produces is good to receive in small doses, but if you remain too long in the sun, those rays can damage not only your skin but also your eyes. In fact, UV light kills certain proteins in your eye when you look at the sun directly. So make sure that if you’re going outside on a sunny day that you protect your eyes.

Keep Blood Sugar Normalized

There has been a link between diabetes and cataract development. Those who develop the disease often end up developing cataracts. This is largely due to the relationship that blood sugar has with your eyes. When your blood sugar levels are high, then the lens of your eye stays open longer. This can increase damage performed to your eye. It’s best to watch your levels and keep them regular.

Eat Right

An excellent way to fight cataracts is to increase the number of antioxidants you take in. You can receive that from vitamin C. So make sure your plate is full of oranges, kiwi, strawberries, tomatoes, and even red peppers. By eating right, you can improve your overall health and the health of your eyes.

Many people take their vision for granted until it’s something they no longer possess. If you already have cataracts, then you may want to consider cataract surgery. If you opt for this procedure, single dose cataract surgery steroids will help ease post-operative inflammation. However, if you have no developed cataracts, consider some of the lifestyle changes to include in your life and reduce the chances of developing this debilitating disease.