Prevent the onset of cataract
Cataract usually refers to a cloudy spot on the eye lens that obscures vision and makes it more difficult to spot objects. Initially, the sufferer does not encounter major problems and can carry on with spectacles or contact lenses. But cataract is a disease that steadily worsens over the years. Vision gradually deteriorates from normal to translucent, and in progressive stages of the disease, the sufferer has a milky white or yellow coating on the lens (from which cataract gets its name). This is accompanied with blurry images, abnormal glares and reflections in vision from improper scattering of light, swelling and pain in the eye lens area, changes in depth perception in which the patient sees incorrect heights and depths of surfaces. Cataract can eventually lead to permanent blindness.
Cataract is a major cause of blindness all over the world, especially among the elderly, where it occurs extremely frequently. However, the disease occurs among infants as well. The incidence of the disease increases almost exponentially as age increases. Chances of getting it are about half in the 70-80 age group, but the probability of cataract magnifies to near hundred percent above the age of 80. Cataract surgery is therefore very common, with thousands being performed per year. In surgery, the lens is usually broken and removed, and crystalline and protein substances which have collected over the lens are taken out. An artificial lens may be put in later. Even though surgery is near-successful, blindness resulting from cataract is very common, especially in third world countries. Surgery is only required in extreme cases or during near-blindness. Cataract develops over a lifetime; so if you take preventive measures to check its growth earlier in life, chances are that you aren’t going to lose your vision in your aging years.
New studies have found out a number of causes of cataract, almost all of which are worth considering during preventive treatment. Of course, as a person ages, the buildup of protein-based crystalline substances on the eye lens increases because of free radicals present in the body. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation and cosmic space radiation has also been identified as a major cause (this is why middle-aged pilots are very prone to develop cataract in later years). Opacity in the eye may also signal some underlying, connected disease which might be dormant in some other part of the body – for example, diabetes and hypertension. Obesity has been linked to a high probability of developing cataract in later years. You should be careful if you are actively taking steroids as medication or supplement – cataract cases are high among corticosteroid users too.
If you are preparing for a cataract surgery, or even if you just want to prevent it from spreading in your eye lenses, a healthy diet and some safe practices can work wonders over the years. Have a lot of foods which prevent free radical damage – these usually include antioxidants like fresh fruits , green vegetables, onion, garlic , apples, oranges etc. Vitamin C and other vitamins have long been known to be very good for the eyes – their supplements can be taken regularly. Zinc and Selenium tablets are also recommended. Drink a lot of water throughout the day.
Avoid exposing the eyes directly to high levels of sunlight – wear shades before going out on a very sunny day, if necessary. It has been well-documented that heavy smoking or drinking increases the chances of developing eye opacity by many times. If you find it difficult to quit altogether, at least make smoking and drinking less frequent. Easily available foods like amla and honey are extremely beneficial for healthy eyesight – their regular intake prevents cataract growth effectively.
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