of Cataracts
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- What are cataracts?
- Symptoms of cataracts
- Causes of cataracts
- Prevention of cataracts
- Risk factors for cataracts
- Complications of cataracts
- When to see a doctor about cataracts
- Diagnosis of cataracts
- Conventional treatment of cataracts
- Alternative/complementary treatment of cataracts
- Living with cataracts
- Caring for someone with cataracts
Alternative/complementary treatment of cataracts
There are a number of different alternative/complementary approaches for reducing the risk of cataract developing in the first place, but also to help reduce the symptoms and reduce deterioration of eyesight in people with existing cataracts.
Herbs
Certain herbs have known beneficial properties to help improve the health of the eye, to reduce cataract symptoms or prevent cataracts happening in the first place:
- Bilberry - British air force pilots who ate bilberry jam before night raids, found their night vision was better than if they didn't eat it. Bilberries contain the antioxidant compound anthocyanidins which have known beneficial effects on eye health and cataracts prevention
- Ginkgo biloba - the herb ginkgo biloba increases vascular blood activity to the eye, ensuring there is a proper blood supply, plus it contains high levels of flavonoid and terpenoid compounds which are potent antioxidants that neutralise or prevent free radical damage that can potentially cause cataracts
Vitamins
Studies show that the antioxidant properties of many vitamins are responsible for reducing the severity of symptoms of cataracts (if the condition is already present) or preventing it from developing altogether:
- Betacarotene - the antioxidant betacarotene is the precursor to vitamin A and is often used instead of vitamin A, as it has less toxicity when used in higher doses. Betacarotene acts to prevent free radical damage to the eye and could reduce the risk of cataract formation. People who drink or smoke (or have done so in the past) should not take betacarotene supplements, but get their intake from the foods in their diet instead, due to a higher risk of cancer from this supplement (which a large study has recently found)
- Bioflavonoids - studies show the antioxidant activity of bioflavonoids (especially when combined with vitamin C) reduce the risk for developing cataracts or alleviating symptoms in people with existing cataracts
- Vitamin A - the antioxidant vitamin A is a potent antioxidant which acts to prevent free radical damage to the eye and lowers the risk of cataracts and reduces symptoms in people with existing cataracts
- Vitamin C - the antioxidant vitamin C (together with bioflavonoids) is a major antioxidant which acts to prevent free radical damage to the eye and lowers risk of cataracts and reduces symptoms in people with existing cataracts
- Vitamin E - the antioxidant vitamin E is a potent antioxidant which acts to prevent free radical damage to the eye and lowers the risk of cataracts developing, but also reduces symptoms in people with existing cataracts
Minerals
There are two main minerals which have potent antioxidant activity that may reduce risk of cataracts from developing in the first place or reducing symptoms in people with an existing condition:
- Selenium - studies have shown that the antioxidant mineral selenium works to prevent free radical damage which is thought to damage the eye cells and allow cataracts to develop in the first place
- Zinc - numerous studies show that the antioxidant mineral zinc is very important for eye health as it prevents free radical damage to the eyes which can enable cataracts to develop
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Other nutrients
Various other nutrients have been shown to have a beneficial effect on cataracts by increasing antioxidant activity and reducing risk of damage to the delicate lens by free radicals
- Alpha-lipoic acid - the nutrient alpha-lipoic acid is a really potent antioxidant which greatly impedes the oxidation damage in the whole body, but especially to the cells of the eye. Alpha-lipoic acid also boost the antioxidant effect of the other antioxidants, so this further increases the reduction in oxidative damage to the eyes
- Glutathione - the amino acid glutathione is a really potent antioxidant which removes toxins and neutralises free radicals and prevents the damage that free radicals can cause to the eye that can lead to cataract formation
- Lutein - the antioxidant lutein is found in fruits and vegetables lowers the risk for cataracts and naturally exists in the retina. Lutein is one of the natural pigments that colours the eye and needs to be in adequate supply to ensure the eye is functioning properly
- N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) - this amino acid cysteine, but more so in the form N-acetyl-cysteine is a powerful antioxidant which helps to removes toxin from the eye and neutralises free radical damages so that they cannot damage the eye and cause cataracts to form. Cysteine is the precursor to the antioxidant amino acid glutathione
- Zeaxanthin - the antioxidant zeaxanthin is found in fruits and vegetables lowers the risk for cataracts and naturally exists in the retina. Zeaxanthin is one of the natural pigments that colours the eye and needs to be in adequate supply to ensure the eye is functioning properly
Dietary modifications
There are a number of dietary modifications that can be utilised to help reduce severity and duration of symptoms and even to help reduce the risk of development of cataracts in the first place:
- Decrease cholesterol - some studies show that a diet high in cholesterol may cause an increased risk of cataract formation, so people with high blood cholesterol should endeavour to reduce their cholesterol levels by increasing legumes and wholegrains in their diet and reducing intake of red meat and animal products, but organic eggs can be eaten in moderation
- Eat more leafy green vegetables - these contain high levels of betacarotene and vitamin C, as well as other antioxidants and nutrients needed by the eyes to enable good health
- Eat more orange vegetables - these contain high levels of betacarotene and vitamin C, as well as other antioxidants and nutrients needed by the eyes to enable good health
- Reduce milk intake - this is because milk contains the simple sugar galactose which could increase the risk of cataract development and could make existing cataract symptoms worse. Another reason for milk's adverse effects on the eyes could be due to an inability to metabolise calcium properly
Lifestyle modifications
Certain lifestyle factors are recommended to reduce risk of developing cataracts:
- Stop drinking - excessive alcohol intake is a well known risk factor for cataract development, so alcohol intake should be limited and dietary intake of antioxidant foods increased to help reduce risk of cataract development
- Stop smoking - people who smoke cigarettes are increasing their risk of developing cataracts, so they should give up. People who cannot give up smoking should at least try to increase their intake of foods rich in the antioxidant nutrients: vitamin A (betacarotene), vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc
- Wear a hat - whenever outside, always wear a hat, as that helps to reduce sun exposure to the eyes, especially ultraviolet light, which is another known risk factor for cataract development
- Wear sunglasses - whenever outside, always wear sunglasses, as they will help to reduce sun exposure to the eyes, especially ultraviolet light, which is another known risk factor for cataract development
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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