If cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, mainly linked to aging. Its evolution can, however, be influenced by many external factors. Among them, a little-known element could help accelerate its appearance.
Cataract, a progressive opacification of the lens
Sensation of fog in front of the eyes, dazzling in bright light, impaired color vision… These symptoms are often a sign of a cataract – a progressive clouding of the lens generally due to age.
“Cataract is not a rare disease, but an almost natural stage of eye aging,” confirms Dr Guy de Saint Sauveur, better known under the pseudonym @docteur.vision. “Moreover, with the increase in life expectancy, almost all of us are destined to see our lens become cloudy one day or another. It’s a mechanical process: like a lens that wears out, vision ends up losing its clarity and contrast over the years.
he explains.
However, other elements can promote the appearance of a cataract, such as eye trauma, head trauma, tobacco, alcohol, a diet poor in fruits and vegetables (lack of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene) or even chronic illnesses such as diabetes, Steinert myopathy, Down syndrome and prolonged corticosteroid therapy. But the sun’s rays can also be responsible for this alteration.
The sun can accelerate the deterioration of your vision
UV rays can in fact alter the proteins of the lens (they oxidize them and cause their aggregation) and ultimately promote its opacification. This degradation occurs slowly, which explains why this alteration can go unnoticed in the early stages.
“If the link between UV and cataract is often cited, the scientific certainty is not absolute because it is difficult to isolate this single factor over an entire life,” nuances our expert. “However, numerous studies converge to point to the sun as a probable accelerator of ocular aging. Without being the sole cause, intense and repeated exposure seems to hasten the time for surgical intervention,” he admits.
Smoking is also an environmental factor that can accelerate the aging of the lens.
“The sun doesn’t just attack the inside of the eye”
If the sun’s rays wreak havoc on the lens, it seems that this is not the only area affected.
“The sun does not only attack the inside of the eye; its effects are well documented on the ocular surface and surrounding tissues. It promotes the appearance of pterygium, an outgrowth on the cornea, as well as skin tumors on the eyelids, which are particularly fragile. Protecting the entire ocular area therefore remains an essential medical precaution”, analyzes Dr Guy de Saint Sauveur.
Faced with these risks, wearing sunglasses (100% UV filtering and ideally CE certified) is a good first reflex. It is also recommended to wear a wide-brimmed hat to limit direct exposure, and to avoid the hottest hours of sunlight, between noon and 4 p.m.
Finally, in the event of persistent visual discomfort or change in the appearance of the eye, a consultation with an ophthalmologist is necessary.