Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of yellow or brownish hue over the lens, resulting in the loss of clarity. The lens is located behind the pupil and helps focus light on the retina. When the lens becomes cloudy, light cannot pass to the retina properly, and vision is blurred and decreased. Although cataracts result from many conditions, the most frequent cause is the natural aging process. Cataracts are very common in the elderly. Visually significant cataracts develop in approximately 50% of people between the age of 65 and 74. About 70% of people over 75 have cataracts. Other causes may include injury, chronic eye disease, and other system-wide diseases such as diabetes. Cataracts can take from a few months to several years to develop. In its early stages, a cataract may not cause a problem. The cloudiness may affect only a small part of the lens. However, over time, the cataract may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see. Sometimes, the cataract stops developing in its early stages, and vision is only slightly decreased. But if it continues to develop, vision is impaired, and treatment is necessary. A cataract won't spread from one eye to the other, although many people develop cataracts in both eyes.

The common symptoms of cataracts include painless and gradual blurring of vision, glare and light sensitivity, frequent eyeglass prescription changes, double vision, the need for brighter light to read, hazy vision that might be worse in bright light, difficulty in discerning movements, details or objects, seeing halos around lights, unexpected improvement in near vision, and double or triple vision in one eye only.

The lens consists of three parts: the central nucleus, the surrounding cortex and the enveloping capsule. Each part, independently or together, may cloud or become opaque, resulting in three types of cataracts that affect different location on the lens: 

The nuclear cataract The cataract that affects the central nucleus and is the most common type of cataract associated with aging. It can often take years to progress.
Common symptoms include blurring or dimming of the vision, glare and visual distortion. 

The cortical cataract This cataract tends to occur in the peripheral part of the lens, as spoke-like opacities. These are also slow to progress with symptoms being more of glare. 
Many people with diabetes develop this type of cataract. Common symptoms include glare and decreased vision on bright sunny days and with oncoming car headlights. 

The subcapsular cataract The cloudiness in this type of cataract is located near the back surface of the lens often directly in the center. Because of its near central location, patients complain about a difficulty in reading. Significant visual symptoms may not appear until the cataract is well developed. The onset of symptoms can be quite rapid, in a matter of months instead of years as with the two other types. A subcapsular cataract is often found in people with diabetes or high myopia, adults with retinitis pigmentosa, and in people taking steroids.

No one understands exactly why the eye's lens changes as we age. There is no proven medical treatment to prevent, delay, or reverse the development of cataracts in adults. To slow down or prevent the formation of cataracts resulting from other factors, such as diabetes, sunlight and smoking, better control of the inducers, has been shown to reduce the risk of cataract complications. It is advisable to wear sunglasses with ultraviolet absorption and a large brimmed hat when outdoors. There is evidence that anti-oxidants, specifically vitamins A, C, and E may delay the development of cataracts.

The lens is made mostly of water and protein. The protein is arranged to let light pass through and focus on the retina. A cataract occurs when some of the proteins clump together and cloud small areas of the lens, blocking light from reaching the retina and interfering with vision Researchers are still not sure as to the reasons behind cataract development. One reason cited is that it is a result of compression and hardening of the lens over time. This compression may be a result of genetic and metabolic diseases, maternal infection, toxic or traumatic causes, as well as being hereditary. Ultraviolet radiation in sunlight, cigarette smoking, and the use of certain medications are among the risk factors for cataract development.

If you suspect a cataract, it is recommended that you see your family doctor of optometry. Decades ago, cataracts virtually always condemned victims to a life of near total blindness. Fortunately, today there is a relatively straightforward procedure for the replacement of the eye's natural lens with a clear lens implant called an intraocular lens. A thorough eye examination by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) can detect the presence and extent of a cataract, as well as any other conditions that may be causing blurred vision or discomfort. The examination will: Carefully examine the external and internal structures of both eyes, assess vision with modern tests that determine how much vision has been affected, determine whether the cataract can be removed successfully, determine whether any other eye conditions are present and need treatment.

Eating fruits that are rich in natural antioxidants is recommended. Spinach is especially very helpful. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding fatty dairy products and refined sugars is necessary.

If you are in the early stages of cataract formation use herbs and nutritional supplements to stop the progression of the disease in order to avoid surgery if possible. Ask your doctor about eye drops that contain pantetheine. Stop smoking and the intake of alcoholic drinks.

Cataracts are inevitably connected to aging and may add to the anxiety, which usually accompanies the process of growing older. Today there is plenty that can be done to alleviate blindness that accompanies cataracts. Learning to deal with the many diseases and physical deficiencies that come as a part of old age is necessary.