Wine Consumption and Cataract Risk

A new study published in Ophthalmology by the NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology suggests that moderate wine drinkers are less likely to require cataract surgery.

The study enrolled 490,000 participants in the UK. It assessed their alcohol consumption, along with other health habits that influence cataract development. As a result, researchers found that a low amount of wine consumption may help slow cataract progression.

One possible explanation is that grape skins are rich in antioxidants, specifically polyphenols. These compounds, in turn, help reduce oxidative stress, which is known to play a key role in cataract formation.

Cataracts: Symptoms and Treatment

Cataracts cause cloudiness in the natural lens due to oxidative stress, which gradually increases with aging.

Some of the most common symptoms include blurry vision, halos, and glare. Additionally, many patients struggle with night driving. Because of this, the primary treatment is surgery, performed one eye at a time under sedation. During the procedure, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a permanent implant.

After surgery, patients should avoid heavy lifting, bending for a week, and rubbing their eyes in order to prevent complications.

• Between 1 to 3 glasses of wine a week can delay the progression of cataracts, since the antioxidants in wine may help protect the lens.
• Cataract is not a disease; rather, it is the natural aging of the lens, which occurs gradually over time due to oxidative stress.
• Diets rich in antioxidants, such as the Mediterranean diet, have been shown to slow down the progression of aging, including age-related eye conditions like cataracts.