Information On Cataracts

The eyes come with their fair share of problems and health concerns. One of the major ailments is cataracts. This happens with age; as the eye gets old the lens becomes weaker. Cataracts cause a cloudy spot on the lens or cornea and vision becomes blurry. The lens of the eye has become denser and loses the transparency it once had.

Cataracts are the most common cause of blindness worldwide. In the United States, cataracts lead to visual impairment more frequently than any other cause, but-since most of them are treatable-cataracts do not typically lead to permanent blindness in this country. Cataracts might happen to someone who’s 50 or they might not happen until someone is 70. Cataracts in children are uncommon. Certain factors make it more likely someone will develop cataracts.

The first solution the eye doctor will give is surgery. Surgery is the only way to fix the problem; or so you have been told. They will wait until the cataract is big enough to remove with surgery. The whole left in the eye will be replaced with a plastic lens so you can see once again. This process is expensive and may only work for a short while before coming back in another area of the eye or the other eye.

Cataracts seriously compromise common activities, like reading, driving at night, watching television, or even walking in unfamiliar territory, but they do not always get progressively worse until you cannot see at all.

Cataracts develop when the main structural protein in the lens, alpha-crystallin, forms abnormal clumps. The clumps make the lens cloudy and impair vision..  Cataracts tend to “grow” slowly, so vision gets worse gradually. Over time, the cloudy area in the lens may get larger, and the cataract may increase in size. Cataracts are removed surgically when the impairment begins to interfere with daily activities  

One of the main causes of cataracts is stress. Most people who get cataracts have gone through some seriously stressful situations or life a high stress life. They never take the time to relax and are always on the go. Another cause is a poor diet, high in cholesterol and carbohydrates and low in vitamins and fruits or vegetables.

You can take care of your eyes and reduce the risk of cataracts today by learning to relax the eyes and eating a more healthy diet. Choose foods that are high in Vitamins A-E and increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat. Try to live a healthy lifestyle which includes regular exercise, no smoking, and little to no alcohol consumption.