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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Eating less meat and more vegetables is tied to a lower risk of cataracts, a British study says.

In a large dietary survey that followed people for as long as 15 years, researchers found that about three in 50 meat eaters had cataracts, compared to about two in 50 vegans and vegetarians.

A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, blurring vision. They’re more common in older people, and more than half of Americans either have cataracts by the time they’re 80 or have had surgery for them, according to the National Eye Institute.

The study does not prove that eating meat promotes cataracts. Eating a lot of vegetables might be protective, for instance – some past research has linked certain nutrients in plant foods to a lowered risk of cataracts. A vegetarian diet may also simply be a sign of other healthy behaviors that contribute to the lowered risk.

The highest risk was seen among the heaviest meat-eaters – those who consumed more than 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of meat daily. Moderate meat eaters were only slightly less likely to develop cataracts. Fish eaters’ risk was 15 percent lower than that of the heavy meat eaters, vegetarians’ 30 percent lower and vegans’ 40 percent lower

“The moral of the story is, live life in moderation,” Dodick added. “A healthy active lifestyle with exercise might decrease the risk of cataracts.”

Vitamin A prevents night blindness and focal drying of the eyes called Xerophthalmia and can retard the development of cataracts and macular age related changes, a private news channel reported.

You can get vitamin A from two types of food sources: Animal products that contain vitamin A (such as liver or butter) or plant products that contain carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A.

Foods containing carotene are usually yellow or orange, or leafy and green.

Carotenoids are yellow, orange, and red pigments synthesized by plants. The most common carotenoids in North American diets are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene.

The best source of Lutein and Zeaxanthin is green, leafy vegetables, particularly spinach. Kale and collard greens are also good choices. You can also find Lutein and Zeaxanthin in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, such as corn.

Vitamin C, an antioxidant, works well for the retina, delays cataracts, and is helpful in the healing and strengthening of the eye. If you smoke or have diabetes, you should increase you vitamin C intake, because its levels will tend to be lower than average.

Citrus fruits, berries, peppers, tropical fruits, potatoes and green, leafy vegetables are good sources.

Vision Supplement

Prevention is more important than treatment.

Isotonix Vision Formula with Lutein is an isotonic-capable dietary supplement, combining vitamins and minerals with lutein, quercetin, eyebright, zeaxanthin and bilberry, designed to promote healthy vision throughout the aging process. Isotonix Vision Formula helps maintain the structural integrity of blood vessels and capillaries, helps maintain the membranes of cone cells in the eyes, helps maintain lens transparency, helps strengthen the cells of the retina, and promotes healthy oxygen and nutrient flow to the eyes. The antioxidant properties of Isotonix Vision Formula help protect the eyes from oxidative stress. It promotes healthy macular density, promotes healthy vision and supports night vision.