A vegetarian or vegan diet could help lower the risk of developing cataracts, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
U.K. researchers at the University of Oxford surveyed the dietary habits of more than 27,600 people over the age of 40, and then followed them for up to 15 years to see if they developed cataracts.
They found that those who ate the most meat were also most likely to develop cataracts, while moderate meat eaters had only a slightly reduced risk. Vegans and vegetarians, on the other hand, were 30 to 40 percent less likely to develop the condition, in which the lens of the eye becomes clouded and causes blurred vision.
"Vegetarians were at lower risk of cataract than were meat eaters in this cohort of health-conscious British residents," concluded the study authors.
These findings do not necessarily mean switching to a vegetarian diet is the right way to avoid cataracts, as other factors could play a role, cautioned Naomi Allen, one of the study authors. More research is needed to confirm the link between diet and eye health.