VEGETARIANS LESS LIKELY TO GET CATARACTS

June 23, 2014

About 2.5 million Canadians have cataracts (a clouding of the lens of the eye) and this number is expected to double in the next 15-20 years. According to a new study* done by the University of Oxford in England, researchers found that vegetarians and vegans are 30% to 40% less likely to develop cataracts than people who eat a lot of meat. Researchers studied data on more than 27,000 people, all over age 40. The study’s participants filled out dietary surveys between 1993 and 1999. By 2009, approximately 1,500 had developed cataracts. The participants were divided into groups according to the amount of meat they ate each day:

  • Highest meat consumption: 100 grams or more
  • Mid-range: 48 to 99 grams
  • Low-range: less than 48 grams
  • Fish eaters: those who ate fish but not meat
  • Vegetarians: those who didn’t eat meat or fish but did eat dairy products and/or eggs
  • Vegans: those who didn’t eat meat, fish, dairy products or eggs

Compared with those who ate the most meat, the risks for developing cataracts were lower for all other groups. Mid-range meat eaters had a decreased cataract risk of 4%, low-range 15%, fish eaters 21%, vegetarians 30% and vegans 40%. Researchers found that the progressive decrease in cataract risk was seen for both men and women.

Other risks for cataract development include smoking, diabetes and exposure to bright light.

A little girl wearing glasses and a blue dress.
By Rosendo C March 26, 2025
Discover Opal's playful and stylish children's eyewear, blending fashion and entertainment with popular licenses that kids love.
A woman wearing glasses and a red sweater is laughing.
By Rosendo C March 26, 2025
Celebrate ØRGREEN OPTICS’ legacy with the 1415 campaign, a tribute to Copenhagen’s oldest postal code. Discover how the city’s canals and creative energy inspire their unique designs.
A woman wearing glasses and a black pleated top
By Rosendo C March 26, 2025
Explore Etnia Barcelona’s new eyewear collection, where vibrant colors, bold contrasts, and premium acetates create striking designs. Celebrate individuality with frames that exude confidence and style.
A woman with glasses and a flower in her hair
By Rosendo C March 26, 2025
Dive into Etnia Barcelona's Underwater campaign, a surreal exploration of the ocean's depths. Discover a mystical AI-created world where vibrant flora, fauna, and mythical beings bring the beauty of the deep sea to life.
A man with a beard wearing maui jim sunglasses
By Rosendo C March 20, 2025
Discover Maui Jim sunglasses at Mountain View Optometry, featuring PolarizedPlus2® lens technology for superior glare protection, enhanced colors, and UV defense. Experience unmatched clarity and eye comfort with premium polarized lenses.
A man wearing sunglasses and a maui jim logo
By Rosendo C March 20, 2025
Maui Jim Sunglasses Spring-Summer 2025
A woman wearing glasses is standing in front of a colorful background.
By Rosendo C March 16, 2025
Thierry Lasry Eyewear Calgary - 2024 Campaign
A close up of a woman wearing glasses.
By Rosendo C March 16, 2025
Thierry Lasry Eyewear Calgary - 2023 Campaign
By Tom Wilk March 7, 2025
As a locally owned business, we deeply appreciate your support. Recent events have prompted us to reflect on how many other Canadian companies are also supported when you visit us for eye care services. This month, we are proud to highlight one of our key “Made in Canada” suppliers – ZEISS Vision. Specializing in precision optics, ZEISS spectacle lenses are designed to improve vision in several ways, including sharper vision at night, better contrast, and more natural colours. When you order a set of new ZEISS lenses from MVO, you support a Canadian company employing 250 dedicated staff who work hard to custom build the glasses you will be wearing for (on average) the next two to three years! Thank you for your commitment to keeping your business in Canada!
A man is holding a pair of glasses in his hand and rubbing his eyes.
By Tom Wilk March 5, 2025
Visual snow syndrome (VSS) is a condition that causes people to see visual disturbances similar to static on a television. This "visual snow" can be persistent and is often accompanied by other symptoms that can affect daily life. As more people learn about visual snow syndrome, it becomes essential to understand its symptoms, potential causes, and how to manage it.
Show More
Share by: