Cataracts

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A cataract has a spot on the lens of the eye that has lost its transparency. The lens is the structure within the eye that is responsible for focusing incoming light so that it forms clear images on the retina. When you shift your attention from the fine print in the newspaper to something going on outside your window, it is your lens that makes the adjustment to allow you to see properly. Located just behind the pupil, the lens is a tiny structure, convex on both sides, composed of many tightly packed transparent cells. If something happens to harm the lens, some of these transparent cells may turn an opaque white-much as the white of an egg goes from bring a clear liquid to solid white when poached.

Cataracts develop gradually usually over a period of many years. Almost everyone over the age of 65 has some degree of lens opacity, but it is usually minor and does not interfere with vision. However, as more and more transparency is lost over time, vision suffers. The first sign is usually a loss of clarity and detail and, possibly, some blurring. Even at a very early stage, night driving can become a challenge. Many people chalk these symptoms up to the fact that they are getting older. They realize they have cataracts only when vision loss becomes impossible to ignore.

Interestingly in the early stage of cataract development, the progressive hardening of the center of the lens can cause a person to become nearsighted. A person who was previously farsighted may be delighted to discover he or she is able to read without reading glasses for the first time in many years. This effect is only temporary, however. In the later stages, the perception of color may change. For example, blues may look dull and gray, and reds, yellows, and oranges may appear brighter. Many people find themselves having increasing difficulty telling certain colors apart.

Cataracts usually occur in both eyes. However, in most cases one eye is more affected than the other. Until the condition is well advanced, there is no external sign of any damage. It is only when the lens becomes opaque that the whiteness is visible through the pupil. Cataracts are painless and never cause total blindness. Even a severely affected lens will lens will admit some light.

In people aged 75 and over, cataracts are common. In fact cataracts are so prevalent in older people that the condition is considered a normal part of the degenerative aging process. This may be because people are now living longer, resulting in long-term exposure to free radicals, which increase the likelihood of cellular damage through the body, including the eyes. Free radical damage is believed to be a contributing factor in the development of cataracts.

Other known causes of cataracts include trauma, either by a direct injury to the lens or even a hard blow to the head, and excessive exposure to certain chemicals, such as can occur with prolonged use of steroid drugs or poisoning by substances such as naphthalene or ergot. High blood sugar levels, such as occur in severe untreated diabetes, are associated with cataracts. Unless sufficient precautions are taken, exposure to infrared rays or x-rays can lead to cataracts as well.

Treatment for cataracts : This section provides information about cataracts treatment.
Cataracts diet : It gives information and guidelines to choose your sample diet to eliminate cataracts.
Cataracts nutritions and supplements : This section provides comprehensive list of nutritional supplements for cataracts.
Herbal treatment for cataracts : This section focuses on various traditional herbal treatments used to cure cataracts.
Cataracts acupressure treatment: This section provides various acupressure points on the body to treat cataracts.
Cataracts homeopathy traetment: It provides information about homeopathic medicines required for curing cataracts.

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