The best way to slow the development of cataracts is through healthy lifestyle choices:

• Wear sunglasses and a hat when outdoors
• Eat a healthy diet
• Take antioxidant supplements like vitamins A, C and E
• Quit smoking
• Manage diabetes and heart disease

Living a healthy lifestyle goes a long way toward cataract prevention. Some eye care practitioners believe that a diet high in antioxidants, such as beta-carotene (vitamin A), selenium and vitamins C and E, may slow cataract development. On the other hand, having heart disease or diabetes may increase your risk. Studies published in 2002 and 2004 have also found lead exposure to be a risk factor.