Vitamin C reduces risk of cataract progression

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Age-related cataract is the major cause of blindness across the world. The primary cause of this disease is still unknown but health experts believe that oxidative stress damages the proteins in eye's natural lens, and the area eventually becomes cloudy.

According to a latest reports eating a diet rich in Vitamin C can slow down the risk of cataract progression by a third.

Cataract is naturally occurring eye disease which forms a dense and cloudy region in the lens of the eye. It is the most common type of vision loss in people over age 40.

The consumption of Vitamin-C rich fruits and vegetables increases the fluid around the eye lens and forms a protective layer. All type of citrus fruit, green leafy vegetables, peas, pineapple and papaya are excellent sources of Vitamin C.

The study published in the journal Ophthalmology shows that environmental factors and diet influence cataract progression more than the genetic factors.

It also revealed that people with higher intake of Vitamin C in their diets had lower risks of cataract increase by 33% than people who did not take Vitamin C rich diet.

(With IANS inputs)