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We came across a very informative article by Jennifer Gruden in one of the natural health newsletters we subscribe to.
We include excerpts and information from it below and we hope it will help you to retain clear vision.
Cataracts are the leading cause of loss of vision for adults aged 55 and above.
The lens is the part if the eye responsible for focusing light and producing clear, sharp images.
The lens is made of mostly water and protein.
Over the years, protein can accumulate in certain areas of the lens, making images look blurred or fuzzy. The lens may also become cloudy.
Some symptoms of developing cataracts:
• Cloudy or blurry vision.
• Colours appear faded.
• A halo may appear around lights, or lights may appear too bright.
• Decreased night vision.
• Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses.
These symptoms also can be a sign of other eye problems.
For most people, cataracts are a natural result of aging. Cataracts may also occur as a complication to surgery for other eye problems (like glaucoma). Cataracts may develop after an eye injury. Some forms of radiation treatment can cause cataracts to form. They may also be linked to steroid use. There is also a congenital form where newborns have cataracts at birth.
Those who have diabetes, and who smoke and drink heavily, are also at higher risk for cataracts. Sun exposure is also linked to the rate of cataract growth, so wearing sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat may help to delay growth.
Problems due to small or early cataract can be addressed by better eyeglasses, lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses. However the only effective treatment is surgery, where the cloudy lens is removed and in most cases an artificial lens is implanted. (In some cases a lens cannot be implanted and glasses or contact lenses are used instead.)
Vision problems caused by cataracts tend to develop slowly over time, so most people who have cataracts do not need to rush into having surgery. In fact many cataracts do not need to be removed.
But generally speaking, the decision whether or not to go ahead with surgery depends on the quality of vision. All surgery involves risk, particularly of infection. Cataract surgery is considered a safe surgery, and is extremely common.
The most common complication is clouding of the part of the lens that remains after surgery, necessitating another procedure to correct the problem.
Surgery also leaves patients at higher risk of retinal detachment, which can lead to blindness and is considered a medical emergency.
Fewer than 3 per cent of patients who have the surgery experience other, serious complications. These include swelling of the retina, which usually resolves itself, a new or different astigmatism, inflammation of other parts of the eye, development of glaucoma, and infection of the tissues in the eye (less than one per cent of cataract surgery patients experience this particular side effect). Some of these complications can leave patients with poor vision of blindness in the affected eye.
The operation lasts about one hour and many patients remain awake for it. Patients return quickly to every day activities, but their vision may remain blurry until the eye heals and adjusts to be able to focus properly.
For more information on cataracts
http://www.youngagainforever.com/cataracts.html
For more information on improving vision
http://www.youngagainforever.com/better_vision_naturally.htm
We hope you find this information helpful.
To your good health and vision – for life!
Roshmi & Jay
http://www.youngagainforever.com
The Natural Health & Beauty Website