13/05/2024
Cataract
Cataracts in the eyes? Vision is getting blurred gradually?
Find out the remedy.
What is cataract?
We know eyes are like cameras. Inside the camera is a lens that focuses on things; Everyone has a lens inside their eyes that focuses on what we see and puts it inside the retina. How clearly we see something depends on the clarity of our eye lens. If any part of the lens of the eye becomes opaque, then the normal vision of the person is disturbed. This opacification of the lens of the eye is called cataract. Cataracts are a common disease. Cataracts can occur at any age but are more common in older people. Cataracts can cause blurred vision and severe problems with daily activities such as driving, reading, watching TV, cell phones, computers, comprehending facial expressions and scrutinizing objects. If you experience such symptoms frequently, you should know that you have cataracts in your eyes.
Cataract formation process
The lens of the eye is made up mostly of water and protein and the protein is arranged in a certain way which keeps the lens transparent and helps the light to pass through the lens without any hindrance. The lens, where the cataract forms, is located behind the iris. Through light, information reaches the retina through the lens. As we age, various ailments of the body, as a result of eating unhealthy foods, due to side effects of drugs, injuries and various complex biochemical changes in the lens of the eye due to the influence of the environment. The proteins that work in the formation of the lens of the eye accumulate in the form of clusters and cause cataracts. As a result, the lens of the eye becomes opaque.
Cataracts grow very slowly, especially in the elderly. As the cataract progresses to the point where it is no longer possible to perform daily activities, eye surgery is required. However, if cataracts are prevented at the right time, the surgery is not required and it is possible to cure cataracts in a natural way at an early stage but it is important to consult an eye care professional before resorting to natural methods.
The main signs and symptoms of cataracts
It is very difficult to know whether there is cataract in the initial stage. Cataract disease progresses as long as it lasts but progresses so slowly that we do not realize it when there is a change in vision. In many cases, cataracts are a sign of aging.
One of the main symptoms of cataracts is that it looks relatively good near and fading away slowly but there is usually no pain.
Having difficulty seeing and moving anything at night, big or small
Capitalization and high levels of light are required for clear reading and viewing
Not being able to perceive brightness in colorful things
Difficulty with sunlight and its intensity
The same thing with one eye, two visions together or double vision
Seeing circles or spheres around bright objects
Changing prescription and spectacle numbers frequently
Causes of cataracts
Cataracts can occur in the eyes for many reasons.
* Aging - Most cataracts are due to aging. As we age, the human body undergoes various complex biochemical changes. As a result, the lens of the eye gradually becomes opaque. This is called senile cataract or bio-cataract. Cataracts cause visual impairment. If this visual impairment is present in small amounts, the use of spectacles can be continued for some time. Once the cataract starts to fall, it gradually increases. People who are 60 or older have cataracts in their eyes as their hair and beard grow.
* Changes in the tissues or tissues that make up the lens of the eye
* Genetic diseases
* If there is any birth defect
* If there is any problem like eye surgery, infection etc. before
* Causes of trauma: Cataracts occur when something gets inside the eye, when hit by a heavy object. Cataracts are more likely to be present in the affected eye. So it is one of the reasons for cataracts. Cataracts can occur at any age due to injury.
* Excessive myopia.
Cataracts occur in the eyes due to other ailments of the body besides the eyes and for various other reasons. Such as:
* Diabetes: Other diseases like diabetes, the effects of which later on cataracts begin to fall. People with diabetes have a six times higher rate of cataracts than normal people. People with diabetes can develop cataracts in 40 or 50 years before the age of 60.
* Long-term use of steroids
* Prolonged exposure to sunlight
* Vitamin deficiency
* Smoking and alcohol addiction
* Obesity
* Family history
* Radiation exposure from X-rays and cancer treatment
* Medicines used to reduce cholesterol
Cataract type
There are four types of cataracts.
Nuclear cataract (nuclear cataract) - Cataract in the central region of the lens (nucleus) is called nuclear cataract. Nuclear cataracts are usually associated with age.
Cortical Cataract - The cortical cataract is located around the circumference of the lens. This type of cataract occurs in the lens cortex, which is the part of the lens that surrounds the central nucleus.
Posterior sub-capsular cataract - sub-capsular cataract occurs behind the lens. People with diabetes or high doses of steroid drugs usually develop sub-capsular cataracts.
Congenital cataract
Although using too many power glasses can help you see properly in the beginning, cataracts can lead to blindness if left untreated for a long time.
Cataract color
Cataracts are usually of four colors:
1) white in color.
2) light reddish or brown in color.
3) light yellow in color.
4) dark in color
Cataracts can also be of different colors.
Cataract diagnosis method and its treatment
Through the patient's current eye history and previous medical history, and the patient's current and previous medical history, the doctor is initially convinced of the disease and then performs tests:
Vision tests is done to examine if patient can see correctly or not
Slitlamp biomicroscopes are used to determine the exact position of the cataract of the eye.
Ophthalmoscope also used to examine the cataract.
Cataracts are more common after the age of 60. However, at any age, we do not call it the primary cataract. There are many reasons for this. For example, a baby may be born from the mother's womb with cataracts. The mother may have had a fever during pregnancy or she may have used medication that caused cataracts in the baby's eyes. Then the most common is eye allergy. Many pediatricians come to the doctor with eye allergies. The eyes become itchy, red. The doctor gave me a medicine, a steroid-like medicine. This baby may be well on medication for a long time. Parents think that the child is very good with this medicine. Then the medicine is given. Maybe the doctor said a month. He may not accept that and even after a month s/he is still on medication. Then it is seen that it causes cataracts. We call it secondary cataract.
Cataract treatment
In most cases the treatment of cataracts depends on its cause. Once the cataract symptoms begin to appear in the early stages, the patient may be able to improve their vision for a while using new glasses, strong bifocals, magnification, appropriate lighting or other visual aids. If these are not treated as advised by the eye care professional, then surgery is required to get rid of the cataracts and increase the vision. Cataract surgery has proven to be a success and is safe, and the way this surgical procedure is now developed quickly and without problems. Cataracts in the eyes are replaced by artificial lenses instead of the normal lenses and later that is what works as normal lenses in the eyes. The artificial lens that is fitted to fix the vision also eliminates the need for spectacles or even if you wear spectacles, you need light power spectacles. It is very important to take care of the eyes after cataract surgery.
The previous method of cataract surgery was ICCE. In this method, if the lens inside the eye was blurred, the entire lens would be removed and discarded. About 12 diopters were given with power glasses. It was a one-time treatment. Now this operation does not happen, so people have forgotten this operation.
What is being done now is feco surgery. Phaco Surgery is one of the most modern and groundbreaking methods of eye treatment today. Here the lens is not waiting to ripen. If a person has cataracts and is unable to function normally, surgery is performed. In this method, the blurred lens is melted out with the help of Phaco Machine by making a small hole and a new artificial lens is inserted in its place.
Benefits of Phaco Surgery:
1. There is no cut in the eye
2. There is no bleeding
3. Painless
4. No injection is required
5. There no sew in this surgery, so you can go home immediately after the treatment
6. There are no restrictions on eating and drinking
7. S/he recovered quickly. Everything can be done after a week.
Another treatment is small incision cataract surgery. It does not require phaco machine. However, it is often a modern surgery like the phaco surgery. It does not need to be sewn here. The cost is extremely low. This operation is very popular in rural areas.
Disadvantages of small incision cataract surgery (SICS):
In this method the blurred lens is brought out whole together. The result is more cutting. Excessive cutting causes more bleeding, pain, inflammation and changes in the shape of the eyeball. So it takes a while to recover.
Natural treatment of cataracts
When cataracts become acute and unbearable, people start looking for ways to cure them. Good results are obtained by cataract surgery. Although many people do not know that cataracts can be fixed with simple natural methods, which can save you from the intervention of surgery. Cataracts can be treated naturally only if they are in the early stages. So before following the natural procedure, you need to talk to an eye doctor to make sure that your problem is at an early stage. Here are some easy ways to get rid of cataracts:
1) Vitamin C: The lens of the eye contains more vitamin C than other parts of the body. If you have cataracts (in the early stages), talk to an eye specialist and take vitamin C supplements.
2) Papaya: Papaya is rich in an enzyme called papain, which helps in fast digestion of protein foods. Many people with cataracts have problems digesting protein foods. This extra protein can accumulate in the lens of the eye and form cataracts. For this reason, eating papaya regularly can not accumulate protein in the eyes. So papaya should be eaten regularly to prevent cataracts.
3) Garlic: The quality of spicy garlic is indescribable. Garlic is very beneficial for the body and cataract eyes. Eating a few cloves of garlic every day cleans the lens of the eye and prevents cataracts. Allicin, a very beneficial ingredient in garlic, plays a role in preventing cataracts. So if you can eat 2-3 cloves of garlic every day, you will get benefits.
4) Green tea: Green tea works well to keep the body and eye health good. As green tea has a lot of antioxidants, regular consumption of green tea can cure cataracts. The phytonutrients in it prevent blurred vision.
5) Almonds: Almonds are very beneficial for the body. Nuts with good eyesight. Soaking some nuts in water at night, peeling off its thin shell in the morning and mixing it with lukewarm milk removes many eye problems. The omega-3 fatty acids in almonds and some strong organic ingredients help prevent cataracts. Cataracts irritate and redden the eyes. In this case, soaking almonds in the milk overnight and applying the milk on the eyelids reduces eye irritation and redness.
6) Raw vegetables: According to several medical journals, raw vegetables are nutritious, especially the source of vitamin A which helps to restore eye health. Moreover, they are rich in beta carotene and antioxidants which are very effective in increasing eyesight. Vegetables also play a role in preventing cataracts. It is rich in phytonutrients that reduce oxidative stress and prevent cataracts. So keep a salad mixed with lemon juice and olive oil on your daily food list. Different colored vegetables are beneficial for cataract problems.
6) Gum grass: Yes, you have heard that gum grass (wheat seedlings) which is able to remove your cataracts. That's why you should include gum grass juice in your daily food list or take it as a supplement.
9) Carrots: Carrots are rich in beta carotene. So this vegetable is very beneficial to increase eyesight. The antioxidants and lutein in it reduce the oxidative stress of the eyes, alleviate the eye problems and delay the loss of vision due to aging.
10) Blackberry/Berry fruit: Blackberry fruit especially Bilberry is rich in anthocyaninside, its flavonoids protect the retina and lens of the eye from oxidation.
11) Honey: Honey has long been recognized as an effective food for treating various eye problems and preventing cataracts.
12) Ashwagandha: This herbal plant is used in making Unani, Ayurvedic, Siddha medicine. Regular consumption of this herb prevents cataracts.
13) When going out in the sun, use sunglasses and protect your eyes from UVB rays.
14) Regular eye examination should be done.
15) Refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol or taking any intoxicants.
16) Maintain a healthy weight.
16) Get regular treatment for diabetes and other physical ailments.
Natural medicine for the treatment of cataracts
Cataract surgery is not always possible in developing countries due to poverty and lack of infrastructure. If it can be cured by using only drops instead of surgery there, then thousands of people around the world will be free from eye problems and regain normal vision.
Scientists have studied in detail the proteins called N-acetylcarnosine and Lanosterol which are naturally produced in our body, which prevents cataracts and helps to reduce cataracts. It is hoped that these two drops will soon be able to transmit light to thousands of people across the globe. These two drops are available in the market.
Author: Dr. Asit Barrick BUMS, MSc Optometry
