Researchers from Harvard Medical School found that compared with people who never smoked, people who smoke 20 or more cigarettes per day had about twice the risk of cataracts. Watch for wavy doorways. One way to keep alert to any vision loss from macular degeneration is to regularly test yourself by looking at straight-line objects such as window frames, says Matthew Farber, M.D., an ophthalmologist in private practice in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Let your doctor know if any lines appear distorted, wavy, faded, missing or shimmery, as if seen through heat waves on a highway. If cataracts are interfering with your vision, a surgeon can remove the cloudy lens.
Clear vision is then possible with the help of a lens implant or special glasses or contacts.
Your eyes will remain sun-sensitive, however. The latest implants have a special coating to protect against UV rays. Look into laser surgery. In the case of macular degeneration, a laser can sometimes repair leaking areas of the macula. This allows the retina to heal and can slow down the disease, says Dr. Faye.