NYU eye doctor says cataracts are arriving a decade early — and 7 daily habits may be why

Cataracts are showing up in Dr. Douglas Lazzaro's patients five to ten years earlier than they did three decades ago. The NYU Langone Health ophthalmologist believes ultraviolet light exposure is a likely culprit — and it is just one of seven everyday habits he says may be quietly accelerating damage to the eyes long before most people notice anything is wrong.

Lazzaro, a professor of ophthalmology at NYU Langone Health, laid out the habits in an interview with Fox News Digital, stressing that while genetics and aging remain the primary drivers of most eye disease, avoidable behaviors can compound that damage. The conditions at stake — glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, dry eye, and keratoconus — range from manageable to permanently blinding if caught too late.

The concern is not hypothetical. The World Health Organization has estimated that at least 2.2 billion people globally live with a vision impairment, and around half of those cases involve impairment that could have been prevented, according to The Independent. Research cited by the outlet also projects that by 2050, nearly half the world's population — roughly 4.758 billion people — will have myopia.

Here is what Lazzaro and other ophthalmologists say people are getting wrong, and what to do instead.

SKIPPING SUNGLASSES. According to Lazzaro, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light may speed up cataract formation and contribute to macular degeneration. The American Academy of Ophthalmology adds that UV radiation can damage the eye's surface tissues, cornea, and lens, and that eye cancers can eventually form from too much exposure. Consultant ophthalmologist Dr. Evelyn Mensah, a member of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists council, warns that UV exposure can also promote growths on the eye's surface called pterygia, and cautions that not all sunglasses filter UV light — look for CE, UV 400, or British Standard markings, according to The Independent. The AAO recommends 100% UV or UV400 protection lenses.

READING IN DIM LIGHT. Poor lighting increases eye strain and makes focusing harder, particularly as people age. Lazzaro notes that older adults already have more difficulty adjusting to darker environments.

As we get older, our eyes have more difficulty seeing under certain lighting conditions. If you're going to be reading, and it's not a bright, sunny day outside, or you're not inside with bright lights, you should increase the lighting.— Dr. Douglas Lazzaro, professor of ophthalmology, NYU Langone Health

POOR DIET. A nutritious diet may help safeguard eye health, research suggests, by lowering the likelihood of diabetes and cardiovascular disease — two conditions that can impair vision. Lazzaro noted that elevated cholesterol and blood pressure can compound diabetic eye disease even in patients who have no idea those conditions are taking a toll on their eyes. According to The Independent, ophthalmologist Dr. Jørn Slot Jørgensen of the Laser Eye Clinic London says vitamins A, C, and E, along with minerals such as zinc, play an essential role in vision and overall eye function. Dr. Mensah notes that the macula contains natural pigments — lutein and zeaxanthin — found in dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, and advises eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily.

Diet is important. There's certainly a lot of known data about poor diets [contributing] to poor cardiovascular health, and that same thing can apply with the eye.— Dr. Douglas Lazzaro, professor of ophthalmology, NYU Langone Health

DEHYDRATION. Dry eye — in which insufficient tear production and oil secretion causes red, itchy, irritated eyes — becomes more common with age and is worsened by dehydration. Lazzaro said that adequate hydration is necessary to maintain proper moisture in the cornea.

We always tell our patients, particularly in the summer, if they're going out on a hot day … make sure to hydrate, because not only will it dry out the body … but it can dry out your corneas.— Dr. Douglas Lazzaro, professor of ophthalmology, NYU Langone Health

POOR SLEEP. Lazzaro said there is "good evidence" that people who sleep poorly — especially those with sleep apnea — may see their eye pressure rise. Those with sleep apnea also seem to have higher rates of glaucoma and certain vascular eye conditions, a pattern that mirrors their greater cardiovascular risk.

They also have an increased incidence of vascular phenomena in the eye … People who don't sleep well have fluctuations in their circulation at night.— Dr. Douglas Lazzaro, professor of ophthalmology, NYU Langone Health

RUBBING THE EYES. Eye rubbing is considered a risk factor for keratoconus, a progressive disease in which the cornea begins to dome and bulge outward in a cone shape. Lazzaro notes that patients with keratoconus often rub their eyes frequently, and that repeated rubbing can potentially alter the cornea's shape — though he acknowledges that expert opinion differs on whether rubbing can directly cause the disease. He nonetheless 'strongly' advises against the habit.

SKIPPING EYE EXAMS. Glaucoma — nicknamed 'the silent thief of sight' — frequently develops without any symptoms, meaning a comprehensive eye exam is often the only way to detect it early. Lazzaro recommends annual exams for adults rather than waiting for vision changes to appear. He added that yearly visits should cover screening for skin cancer and eyelid tumors, both of which become more prevalent with age and can generally be removed without serious complications when identified early.

Sometimes the only way you know you have glaucoma is by going to the ophthalmologist. It's a disease that we see with increasing frequency as we get older.— Dr. Douglas Lazzaro, professor of ophthalmology, NYU Langone Health

Ophthalmologist Dr. Jørgensen separately highlights excessive screen time as a compounding factor, noting that the shift to remote work has extended hours spent on digital devices, contributing to digital eye strain — symptoms including dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision. He and Dr. Mensah recommend the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, and remember to blink, according to The Independent.

The AAO also flags smoking as a significant and modifiable risk factor, linking it to cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Dr. Mensah echoes this, noting that smoking cessation can reduce the risk of AMD and cataracts. Researchers are additionally exploring whether gut health may influence retinal health, though Lazzaro describes that connection as still emerging.

The broader picture is one of a healthcare system likely to face growing demand. The WHO projects a dramatic increase in the need for eyecare globally, and a survey by supplement brand Macushield found 73% of British adults notice their eyes deteriorating with age, according to The Independent. Writing in The Independent, ophthalmologist Dr. Jørgensen put it directly: "Prioritising eye health isn't just a matter of convenience, it's a fundamental aspect of our overall wellbeing."

Why it matters — Many of the leading causes of blindness — glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration — develop silently for years, meaning the daily habits people form now will shape whether they catch these conditions early enough to preserve their sight.

Reported by foxnews.com, newspub.live, aao.org, independent.co.uk, nymorningstar.com