Did you know that cataracts are the most usual reason for vision loss for people over the age of 40? There are also cases worldwide of this lens-clouding condition than glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy combined. But there is no need to worry, as whatever is your age there are numerous home remedies that one can do for cataract prevention. These tips will stop the development of cataract into the eye and one may not need to go for cataract surgery. In some extreme cases, the only way for cataract prevention is surgery.
Overview
A cataract is a dense, cloudy area that grows in the lens of the eye. It starts when proteins in the eye form clumps that prevent the lens from conveying clear images to the retina. The retina works by changing the light that comes by the lens into signals. It gives the signs to the optic nerve, which carries them to the brain.
It grows slowly and eventually hinders with your vision. You can end up with cataracts in both eyes, but they normally don’t form at the same time. Cataracts are general in older people. Over half of people in the world have cataracts or have undergone cataract surgery by the time they are 80 years old.
Symptoms of cataracts :
- Clouded, blurred or dark vision
- Growing difficulty with vision at night
- Sensitiveness to light and glare
- Require for brighter light for reading and other activities
- Various changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
- Fading or yellowing of colours
- Double vision in a single eye
There are various types of cataracts like nuclear cataracts, cortical cataracts, posterior subcapsular cataracts and congenital cataracts which needs prevention. Also, there are a number of risks involved with cataracts that include :
- Increasing age
- Diabetes
- Excessive exposure to sunlight
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Previous eye surgery
- Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications
- Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
These all factors can grow more chances of cataracts0 so one needs to go for some prevention tips to avoid the cataract surgery. Cataract prevention will give you a clear and sharp vision.
Cataracts Prevention tips
Cataracts can be prevented with various home remedies which further reduces various factors like diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Let’s discuss all possible ways to cataract prevention :
Eat Right: Balanced diet
A proper healthy diet involves fruits, vegetables, oily fish and whole grains may result in a decreased risk of cataracts. Your eye nutrition needs to be properly filled with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Vitamins A, C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin and omega 3 fatty acids also help in reducing the risk of cataract. As is true for the rest of the body, a healthy and balanced diet will end in healthy eyes. This the easiest follow up tip for cataract prevention.
Food sources which have a good amount of all nutrients
- Eggs
- Nuts and legumes
- Chicken
- Fish
- Citrus fruits- orange, lemon, grapefruits
- sweet potato
- beef
- Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts
All of them are rich balanced dietary food to prevent cataracts. Having healthy food not only gives you good viewing power but also give you a healthy life.
Exercise regularly
Researches advise that daily exercise such as brisk walking can decrease the chance of age-related macular degeneration by up to 70 %. Your eyes have muscles and they can get hurt when held in one position for a long time. Give your eye muscles a rest.
By performing a few of these exercises you may well improve your productivity, reduce headaches and errors. Also, reduce your risk of glaucoma. Anyone can do it while depend sitting anywhere.
Easy eye exercises
- Palming: Rub the palms of your hands warmly, until they are warm and place them gently over your eyelids. The warmth will go onto the eyes which make your eye muscles feel relax. Do it for 2-3 times daily.
- Zooming: An effective exercise for the eyes is zooming. You make an object zoom for your eyes so as to change the centre of your vision. Sit on a chair with your arm outstretched and your thumb up. Now, bend your arm slowly and bring it closer to your eyes, thus zooming the thumb in the centre.
- Blinking: Sitting comfortably with your eyes open blink 10-15 times very fast. Further, close your eyes and relax for 20 seconds. Do it this 4-5 times in a day.
- Shifting: It is about rotating your eyeballs from one spot to another. Look to your rightward corner and then shift your gaze slowly to a different direction. The small eye muscles get more active and healthy with the stream of blood pumped in from the shifting.
Manage your blood sugar
Raised blood sugar ends in cataract development. Diabetic patients have the problem of cataracts. Therefore the doctor suggests not consume much amount of sugar. It is hence important to assure proper glycemic control. Also, high blood sugars and predispose one to a possibly sight-threatening condition called diabetic retinopathy. In this new blood vessels are built on the light-sensitive retina. These new blood vessels lead to leaking of both fluid and blood. That further appearing in retinal swelling and haemorrhages.
That’s why having healthy blood sugar is so essential for your overall health and vision.
Quit Smoking
Everyone knows that smoking is dangerous for your lungs and your heart but it’s also really bad for your too eyes. When it comes to cataracts, smoking is a risk factor you can manage. Smoking makes more free radicals in your eyes. These are chemicals that hurt cells. Antioxidants all those great chemicals that you get from fruits and vegetables struggle the bad chemicals. But smoking destroys off the good chemicals. And it generates a lot of toxins that can create cataracts problems.
If you leave the habit, it may further prevent cataracts, even if you have burned a lot of cigarettes over a long period. Take help from your doctor to quit smoking they will give you different medicines and programs.
Limit the consumption of alcohol
Drinking large amounts of alcohol has been tied to a greater risk of cataracts. If you are addicted to alcohol or understand you need advice and ways to reduce your alcohol consumption. Speak to your doctor about getting medications, personal counselling and group-based treatment. This may help you to leave alcohol or limits its quantity of consumption.
Protection from UV radiation
Shielding your eyes from dangerous UV radiation is important. A sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat, scarf or dupatta can protect your eyes from the dangerous rays in the sun. Even the best sunglasses to wear are polarized sunglasses, photochromatic and UV lenses blocking contact lenses c be used to prevent UV caused harm to the eye. Wearing of sunglasses block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays when you’re outside.
The UV radiation is understood to raise the risk of both cataract, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Avoid high blood pressure
Extreme drinking can begin to high blood pressure and raises your risk of heart failure, enlarged heart or stroke. Also, a single indulgence can cause a severe heart arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation. High blood pressure can harm the vessels supplying blood to your retina, creating retinopathy. This state can lead to bleeding in the eye, blurred vision and total loss of vision.
Routine eye check-ups
You should go for routine eye exams, particularly as you get older. This the most important cataract prevention tip. If your doctor notices cloudiness in your eyes or that the lens is growing blocked by proteins and can control the progression. Without examining, you may not see your vision fading over time. Routine check-ups allow your doctor to decide the best treatment methods and when it’s best to begin. Routine visits allow your doctor to examine for signs of cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other vision complications. They can ask for cataract surgery too. It all depends on the level of cataracts present in your eyes. Eye tests can help identify cataracts and other eye problems at their most advanced stages.
Avoid the additional use of steroids
Steroids are probably life-saving medicines, but their random and excessive use has led to many problems. In India, even chemists direct steroids with little concern for their harmful effects. Also, people do self-medicate.
Steroids must be consumed only on medical advice and following strict medical supervision. You must consult with your doctor for using steroid-sparing remedies for your ailment, whenever possible. As the steroids can harm you viewing power too.
Avoid trauma
Traumatic cataract has no age bias i.e. trauma at any age can result in the development and rise of cataract. It is hence necessary to avoid eye injuries by practising proper preventive measures. The most essential thing is to apply protective eyewear to prevent eye injuries in dangerous conditions. Wdependear them during sports and physical activity, make sure you wear goggles.
Getting hit in the eyes can create cataracts to form, so it’s vital that you do all you can to prevent this from occurring
Some people are born with cataracts or acquire them during childhood. These cataracts may be genetic or linked with intrauterine infection.
Think about taking Herbal Medicine
A study has pointed out that bilberry is a herb rich in antioxidants. Also, turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory compound found in the curry spice turmeric. Both of the herbs can help cataract prevention.
Conclusion
Self-care steps may help for a while, but if your cataract advances your vision may worsen further. When vision loss starts to interfere with your everyday activities, discuss with your eye care expert to learn more about cataract surgery. Cataracts can be easily prevented from the home remedies do follow the tips mentioned above. In case of serious and advance stage visit, an ophthalmologist. otherwise, follow these cataract prevention tips.
For know about cataracts and elimination contact or ophthalmologist. They will guide you all about cataract and the surgery procedure if needed. You can simply visit our website Eyemantra. We offer a great number of services like spec removal, Computer Vision Correction, Paediatric Ophthalmologist and many more
You can call us at +91-8851044355. You can also mail at eyemantra1@gmail.com for booking appointments with us.
A healthy eye gives wealthy life!
Related Posts:
Do’s and Dont’s for protecting your eyes while playing holi
Diet & Nutrition for healthy eyes
Phaco Surgery | Types – Regular or Micro | IOLs & Equipments |