You can slow the development of cataracts by protecting your eyes from excessive sunlight, usually through UV-screening sunglasses. Some patients also get eyeglasses that include a clear anti-UV coating. Smoking is another risk factor for cataracts, so quitting can further protect your eyes.
There are several ways to improve your quality of life while living with cataracts, such as using brighter lights or corrective lenses to account for your vision loss.
Once cataracts have developed, however, they can only be removed with cataract surgery. Some patients with minor symptoms decide to wait for surgery, but cataracts will never go away on their own. Plus, they will worsen with time, so we recommend surgery for most patients, especially when your vision is noticeably impaired.