According to experts, if elderly people eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, red and green peppers, strawberries, broccoli and potatoes, they are a third less likely to develop cataracts.
The condition affects the sight of one in three older Brits. But the decade-long study of twins found that vitamin C helps the fluid in the eye protect the lens.
Professor Chris Hammond, of King’s College London, said: “Simple dietary changes such as increased intake of fruit and vegetables as part of a healthier diet could help protect ageing adults from cataracts.”
Around a third of cataract risk is down to genes, while the remaining two-thirds is influenced by factors such as age, diet and smoking.
Corrective surgery is the most common op in the UK with 300,000 a year.
Holly Heath, of sight loss charity the RNIB, said: “Preventing unnecessary sight loss in the first place is a welcome step.”
Source: thesun.co.uk
