Influence of Diet, Dietary Products and Vitamins on Age-Related Cataract Incidence: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Cataract, defined as the opacification of the lens that prevents clear vision, is a leading cause of vision loss and impairment worldwide. Elderly people comprise the highest proportion of those suffering from this eye disease. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the risk of developing aged-related cataract (ARC) increases with every decade of life, starting from the age of 40. Despite progress in surgical treatment methods, life-style modifications may be beneficial in prevention or slowing down the progression of ARC. This systematic review aims to summarize studies on the significance of specific nutritional patterns, dietary products, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids intake in the onset or progression of ARC. In this context, the presented paper thoroughly analyzes 24 articles, following the PRISMA guidelines. The results indicate significant protective effects of various dietary patterns, including the Korean balanced diet, vegetarian diet, “dairy products and vegetables”, “traditional”, “antioxidant”, and “omega-3” patterns. Additionally, the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, skimmed yoghurt, fish, coffee, and vitamins has shown positive effects on cataract incidence. Therefore, further research seems to be essential to gain a better understanding of these associations and to create uniform dietary recommendations for both the vulnerable population and ARC patients.

KRAS depletion suppresses ferroptosis and affects Hippo pathway in cataract

“…Cataract is manifested as the opacification of the lens with rapidly increasing of the prevalence as the population aging that has become an internationally huge health burden (Xu et al 2020;Ang and Afshari 2021;Falkowska et al 2023). Further work is in requirement to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of cataract, which will greatly help find more novel therapeutic targets for cataract.…”

Research progress on the correlation between cataract occurrence and nutrition

“…Falkowska et al ( 2 ) pointed out that a balanced diet (mainly based on calorie restriction of vegetables, grains, legumes and fish, and a nutrient pattern of low animal fats), a vegetables diet, “dairy and vegetables,” “traditional diet,” “antioxidants” and “Omega-3 (polyunsaturated fatty acids)” have a significant protective effect on age-related cataracts. A large hospital cohort study conducted by Jee and Park ( 3 ) assessed lifestyle-related risk factors.…”