How to lower your risk of cataracts, or slow them down

• Seeing your eye doctor on a regular basis
• Quitting smoking
• Drinking less alcohol
• Wearing sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat to protect your eyes from the sun
• Managing other health problems, like diabetes
• Eating plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, which are high in vitamins, minerals, and other helpful nutrients

Treatment Options for Cataracts

In mild cases

If cataracts are small and do not affect your daily life, you may not need surgery right away. Glasses or contact lenses, anti-glare lenses, brighter lighting, or a magnifying glass may be enough.

Most eye doctors recommend cataract surgery when your ability to do everyday activities becomes too limited.

Cataract removal may also be needed if it is blocking treatment for another eye problem.

Surgery

The only way to remove a cataract is surgery. This is a very common operation. Nine out of 10 people see better after it. Cataract surgery can also lower your risk of falls and improve your mood, daily activities, and quality of life.

This outpatient surgery usually takes less than 30 minutes. If both eyes have cataracts, they are treated one at a time, a few weeks apart.

Cataract surgery is usually very safe. But in rare cases, it can raise the risk of a detached retina. This must be treated right away to prevent serious vision loss.

A sudden increase in flashes or floaters can be a sign of a detached retina. Tell your healthcare provider right away. This is a medical emergency.

Call your healthcare provider right away after cataract surgery if you have pain, redness, swelling, bleeding, signs of infection, vision loss, or double vision.

Last Reviewed and Updated: October 2026
By: AGS/HiAF Public Education Committee, HealthinAging.org Content Reviewers