A cataract sufferer knows very well what this condition consists of. However, for those who haven’t experienced the symptoms of advanced cataracts, this disease can be a mystery.
According to some sufferers, having them It’s like looking at everything through a fogged window. and never being able to clean it. You can only get a very vague idea of ​​what’s going on behind it. Fortunately, it is possible to relieve them naturally.
Next, we’ll discuss the most common symptoms and natural treatments for cataracts.
What are cataracts?
It’s called ‘cataract’ the progressive opacity of the lens, the natural lens of the human eye. This results in a feeling of blurred vision that slowly gets worse when not treated properly.
This vision loss mainly affects people over the age of 40.. They are also a leading cause of progressive blindness worldwide. Around the age of 40 the biochemistry of the human body begins to change. The proteins synthesized by the eye cells lose their elasticity and harden.
These agglutinate in some points of the ocular lens. As a result, whitish lumps appear, which can sometimes be seen in people’s eyes. Falls are the cause of loss of accuracy and visibility at certain distances.
However, these whitish lumps do not appear overnight. This alteration develops gradually as the eye tries to adapt to this blockage.
The different types of cataracts block light and distort the images that the eye perceives from different angles. Because of this, the symptoms of cataracts will be different among each person who suffers from them.
types of cataracts
There are three different types of eye cataracts, the names of which they are directly related to the part of the eye they affect. That’s what this suggests relationship from the Mayo Clinic:
1. Subcapsular cataract
This type of cataract is more difficult to identify with the naked eye. Despite this, the patient feels its effects very quickly as the disease develops. People who have diabetes or take high dose steroids They are very prone to this type of pathology.
2. Nuclear cascade
As the name indicates, this type of cataract occurs in the nucleus of the lens. This typology largely related to ageing. In fact, it is the most frequent among men and women over the age of 70.
3. Cortical cataract
The latter is the most visible to the naked eye. Cortical cataracts are small, opaque, white areas. These opacities can be observed as small wedges located on the periphery of the lens.
4. Congenital cataract
All those children who are born with cataracts or who develop them in childhood suffer from it. Most of them are related to genetic alterations. However, conditions in the womb and trauma can also cause them.
cataract symptoms
As we have said before, the symptoms of cataracts can be perceived differently in each person. It will all depend on the type and severity of the condition. However, most of them are characterized by impaired visual acuitythe most notable is the following:
- Blurred, dim, or blurry vision.
- Hypersensitivity to light or discomfort when coming into contact with bright lights (such as car headlights).
- Difficulty seeing in dark spaces, dim light, or at night.
- Diffuse view of the light source, such as lamps and candles.
- Yellowing or discoloration.
- double vision in one eye.
- Frequent change of lens prescription, this means that the cataract is rapidly deteriorating the visual health.
- reading difficulty.
- Requires brighter light to perform some activities.
- Worsening of vision on sunny days.
- Difficulty driving at night.
- Myopia increased.
- Sudden improvement in vision in exceptional cases.
Blurred vision affects only a small part of the lens at first, then goes unnoticed. However, the symptoms of cataracts they become more evident as the opacity of the lens increases and distorts the light that passes through it.
When to see the doctor?
Ideally, consult an ophthalmologist. the slightest change in visual acuityEspecially if you are over 40. However, there are some warning signs among which the following stand out:
- Sudden changes in vision.
- Double vision and sudden flashes of light.
- Sharp pain in the eyes.
- Sudden headache.
For their part, the symptoms of cataracts are very similar to the symptoms of less serious eye problems, such as nearsightedness or astigmatism. For this reason it is necessary to consult your doctor when you begin to notice two or more of the aforementioned manifestations.
Cataract risk factors
Although cataracts and their symptoms have no specific cause, there are a large number of factors that increase the likelihood of suffering from them. In this sense, the main risk factors include the following:
- Aging.
- Diabetes.
- Excessive exposure to sunlight.
- Smoking and alcoholism.
- Overweight and obesity.
- Hypertension.
- Injury or surgery to the front of the eye.
- Prolonged use of corticosteroids.
In this sense, it is essential to eliminate as many risk factors as possible to reduce the likelihood of suffering from the disease. Therefore, it is always advisable to maintain good lifestyle habits and always consult a doctor if in doubt.
Prevent and relieve cataracts naturally
All the experts agree He only effective treatment of cataracts is their removal through eye surgery. There are currently no other alternatives such as drops, medications or any other type of therapy to cure them.
However, the adoption of certain lifestyle habits can prevent its appearance and slow down its development. Although there are currently no conclusive studies, many doctors and ophthalmologists strongly recommend it.
1. Avoid harmful habits
Quitting smoking and reducing your alcohol consumption are two choices that will improve your quality of life. Although it can be difficult at first, especially due to the social pressure that leads to these acts.
according to study made by Vision Research Foundation (India), the use of tobacco is correlated with the appearance of cataracts. It also affects the development of other eye diseases.
Remember that Quitting smoking and drinking less will prevent your body from degeneration. The eyes, like all organs of the body, will benefit from healthy habits.
2. Maintain a balanced diet
Diet is one of the most important factors in the prevention of degenerative diseases. A balanced diet helps body balance and effective self-regulation.
Try to integrate a good amount of various fruits and vegetables. These have an attractive amount of antioxidants which protect the eyes from degeneration. Vitamins C and E and omega-3 fatty acids were also positive.
3. Protect your eyes from sunlight
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays generated by Sun it can help cataract development, according to this study of the University of Valladolid. UV rays can affect proteins and other enzymes in the eyedegrading and oxidizing them.
Wear dark glasses with proper filters and wide-brimmed hats to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. This is one of the main measures that must be taken into account. Second American Academy of Ophthalmologyit is also possible to add anti-UV clear coatings to commonly used lenses.
4. Take your eyes off your screens
Although to date no studies have established a connection between radiation from screens and the appearance of cataracts, this is a measure that helps protect vision health in general. For this, it is recommended that you position yourself at least 30 centimeters away from devices such as televisions, mobile phones or computers.
5. Check your eyes periodically
An eye exam can help detect the problem early and improve its diagnosis and development. For this reason, consult your doctor about the frequency of these reviews.
There are some risk factors that could affect its appearance, so individual counseling is the best option. Some of these are: family history, age, diabetes, obesity, previous eye treatments or prolonged exposure to the sun without protection.
6. Check your health
If you suffer from any of the diseases that increase the risk of cataracts, it is important to follow the treatment plan.
Correct lifestyle habits can prevent and improve cataracts
Lens opacity (or cataract) is a very common eye disease, with multiple symptoms and is usually associated with aging. But the good news is that Its emergence and development can be stopped with a few easy-to-apply lifestyle habits.
If you experience vision problems or any of the 9 most common cataract symptoms, don’t hesitate to see your doctor or go to the eye doctor. They will be able to agree on the appropriate treatment, as well as recommend some additional guidelines to improve this condition.
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