Nutrition and its role in the prevention of age-related and secondary cataracts (literary review)

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world, with statistical analysis showing a 29.7 % increase in the absolute number of cataract cases over the past twenty years. In 2020, cataract caused blindness in 15.2 million people over 50 years of age. Phacoemulsification surgery is the main treatment for cataract, but some patients develop secondary cataract after surgery. An unbalanced diet can indirectly affect the frequency and severity of cataract progression, as well as the development of secondary cataract. The relationships between the consumption of certain food groups and progression of cataract have not been studied sufficiently. This primarily applies to milk and dairy products, substances important for the connective tissue of the eye — magnesium and vitamin C. Regarding vitamin C, the results of clinical studies are directly opposite and contradictory. Understanding the important role of nutrients for metabolism of any cell in the body, we analyzed the effects of various diets and certain nutrients on the eye.