What is cataract?
Do you want to know what is cataract? An eye cataract is clouding of eye lens. It mostly occurs after 40 years of age. Both men and women are equally affected. It can cause blindness. It is age related disorder and slowly progressing.
Symptoms of cataract
The most important symptom of cataract is loss of vision. The vision becomes blurred in the beginning. There is cloudiness of the lens.
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When the vision becomes haze and blurred it indicates the early symptom of cataract.
The light from the sun or a lamp becomes too bright. The headlights of the vehicles at night also cause more glare than before.
The loss of vision occurs slowly and there is complete loss of vision if proper treatment is not taken on time.
Causes of cataract
The human lens works like a camera lens. It focuses light on the retina to have clear vision. It also adjusts the distance to let you see the far and near distant objects clearly.
Human lens is made up of water and protein. With ageing the protein clump together and forms a cloudy area in front of the lens. This is called as eye cataract. It grows further and makes it difficult to see which the most important symptom of cataract is. The most important risk factors that are associated with cataract include the following:
- Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun
- Diseases such as diabetes or high blood sugar, high blood pressure and renal diseases
- Obesity also plays a role in causing cataract.
- Excessive and prolonged use of corticosteroid medications
- Smoking and excessive alcohol drinking
- Any previous injury or inflammation of eyes
- People who take statins to reduce blood cholesterol level are also at a risk of developing cataract early in life.
- Family history also plays a role in causing cataract at an early age
- Improper diet and intake of nutrients
- Improper sleep and excessive sitting in front of computer without any protective shield
Prevention
Eye Cataract can be prevented by taking proper nutrients and changing life style.
- It is suggested that high intake of vitamin A and E can help to reduce the risk of cataract. Therefore, one should consume foods that are rich in carotenoids and provide proper nutrients to eye lens. Some of the good sources of vitamin E are spinach, sunflower seeds, almonds and green leafy vegetables. Foods rich in carotenoids include carrots.
- Intake of omega-3 fatty acids can also reduce the risk of cataract. Salmon fish is a good source of omega 3 fatty acids.
- Another way of preventing cataract is to wear protective sunglasses when going out in the sun. One should try to protect the eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.
- Avoid reading and writing in dim light. One should do reading and writing in proper light.
- Avoid alcohol drinking and smoking to prevent cataract.
- Drink more water to remove toxins from the body and maintain proper eye health.