| - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - General Cataracts Information Cataracts are a painless eye condition that occurs when the lens of the eye thickens and becomes clouded or opaque. The cataract blocks the passage of light from entering the eye, making focusing very difficult. The senile cataract, which occurs in people over the age of 65, is the most common form of the disease. Cataracts vary in size. Some are very small and do not cause a disturbance of vision. Others can grow larger and denser over time, resulting in serious vision changes. As a cataract grows it can overtake the eye, sometimes causing the entire eye to appear white and cloudy. This is called a ripe cataract, which can result in severe vision problems. Some people with cataracts see significant improvement by wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses enhance vision. Others require surgery to remove the cataract. Cataracts can cause blindness, but the incidence of this occurring is very rare. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Possible Causes of Cataracts Factors associated with cataracts include aging, overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, eye injury, diabetes, glaucoma, retinal detachment, long-term use of steroid medication, frequent X-rays and family history of cataracts. Cataracts are sometimes seen in newborns, but the cause is rarely known. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Possible Symptoms of Cataracts Common symptoms of cataracts include cloudy or filmy vision; difficulty driving at night because headlights seem too bright; excessive glare from lamps and/or the sun; double vision; constantly changing eyeglass prescriptions; and frequent difficulty performing everyday tasks at home and on the job. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Possible Lifestyle Changes for Cataracts There is no sure-fire way to avoid cataracts, but there are some lifestyle changes that can slow their progression. Stop smoking, protect the eyes from the sun with wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses, limit alcohol intake, avoid steroid medications, keep blood pressure and diabetes under control and eat a diet rich in vitamins E and C. Anyone with cataracts should avoid using antihistamines. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - In accordance with FDA regulation, we do not make any therapeutic claims for any Dietary Supplements in accordance with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Beneficial Dietary Supplements Carotenoids are good for all eye problems. Multivitamin and Mineral contains all of the necessary vitamin and mineral requirements the body needs. Lutein helps all eye disorders, including cataracts. Selenium is an important antioxidant. Copper helps heal and slows the growth of cataracts. Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids helps heal eye problems and relieves pressure from cataracts. Vitamin A is good for eye function. Grape Seed Extract is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin E aids the healing process. Vitamin B is necessary for intracellular eye metabolism. Zinc protects the eyes against light damage. Ginkgo Biloba improves circulation. Bilberry Extract, when taken orally, helps remove toxic chemicals from the retina. REFERENCES: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition, Phyllis Balch, CNC; James F. Balch, M.D. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Buy Beneficial Dietary Supplements and Products Below. |