Is it true that with age everyone will develop cataracts?  According to Robert Abel, Jr., MD, ophthalmologist and author of The Eye Care Revolution, that statement is a myth.  In fact, he writes,” It is possible to prevent, stabilize and even reverse cataracts through nutrition and supplementation.”

What are Cataracts?

Many people compare how a camera works to that of how we see.  Just like when a camera lens is fogged up or dirty and you get a resulting unclear picture, so it is with the lens of the eye.  When your lens becomes cloudy because of crystallin proteins clumping, the resulting image is blurred and less bright. A healthy lens is transparent and allows maximum light to enter the eye. A cataract develops when the inside of this normally clear lens becomes cloudy or hazy which blocks some of the light.

Risk Factors for Developing Cataracts

Sunlight or UV light exposure

Age: By age 65 nearly half of all individuals begin to develop cataracts

A cataract in one eye often means one is forming in the other eye

Diabetes

Steroid and photosensitizing (more sensitive to light) drug use

Head and eye Injuries and/or ocular surgeries

Smoking produces free radicals and increases exposure to toxins

Nutritional and antioxidant deficiencies from poor digestion or inadequate intake or absorption of nutrients

High sugar diets

Heredity

Symptoms of Cataracts

The need for more light

Hazy or blurred vision

Loss of night vision

Sensitive to glare

Poor depth perception

Loss of contrast sensitivity

Colors are dull and less vivid or bright

Prevention of Cataracts

Wear UV protective sunglasses

Include antioxidant rich foods, especially spinach and other such as leafy greens  in your diet or through supplementation.  According to Dr. Abel the major antioxidants needed by the lens are vitamins C, E, and A, lutein and glutathione.

“Cataracts and cataract surgery are not inevitable with age.  It all depends on how you care for your eyes and yourself.  Make deposits in your antioxidant bank account early and often to protect against cataracts.”  Robert Abel, Jr., M.D.

When it becomes necessary, based on your eye exams and discussion between you and your eye doctor, surgery is performed using high-speed ultrasound.  The procedure called phacoemulsification breaks up the cataract which is then removed and a synthetic lens is placed in the treated eye.   For more information on cataracts visit ….

Tips for Preventing Cataracts

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

www.WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com