A cataract patient knows a lot about this ailment. However, for those who haven’t suffered from the symptoms of cataracts, the disease can be quite a mystery.
According to some people who have this disease, having cataracts is like seeing everything through a foggy window and never being able to clean it.
You can only have a very vague idea of what happens behind the window. It doesn’t sound fun, but fortunately, cataracts can be treated naturally.
Here, we’ll explain the most common symptoms of cataracts and how to treat it naturally.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts are the progressive clouding of the human eye’s natural lens. This translates into blurred vision that slowly gets worse if not treated properly.
Cataracts mostly affect people over 40. They are also the major worldwide cause of progressive blindness.
- Around the age of 40, the human body’s biochemistry begins to change. The proteins that are synthesized by eye cells lose their elasticity and harden.
- The proteins clump together in some parts of the ocular lens.
- This causes whitish lumps that can be seen in people’s eyes.
Cataracts cause of loss of accuracy and visibility at certain distances.
However, these whitish lumps don’t appear overnight. Cataracts develop slowly, while the eye tries to adapt to this white blockage.
Different types of cataracts obstruct the light and distort the images that the eye perceives at different angles. Therefore, this type of blindness is different in each person who suffers from it.
Types of Cataracts
There are three different types of cataracts whose names are directly related to the part of the eye that they affect:
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Posterior Subcapsular Cataract
This type is more difficult to identify at a glance. Despite this, the patient feels its effects very quickly as the disease develops.
Patients who have diabetes or take high doses of steroids are highly prone to suffer from it.
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Nuclear Sclerotic Cataract
As its name suggests, this type of cataract occurs in the nucleus. This is the most common type of cataract among men and women over 70 years.
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Cortical Cataract
These cataracts are the most visible to the naked eye. They are small opaque and white areas in the eyes. They look like small wedges on the center of the lens.
Symptoms of Cataracts
There are many symptoms of cataracts, including:
- Clouded or blurred vision.
- Hypersensitivity to light, or discomfort upon contact with bright lights.
- Difficulty seeing in dim or dark spaces.
- Filmy vision of the light source, such as lamps and candles.
- Yellowing of colors.
- Double vision in one eye.
- Frequent changes in prescription lenses, meaning that the cataracts are affecting your eyesight.
- Difficulty reading.
However, the symptoms of cataracts are very similar to symptoms of less serious eye problems, such as nearsightedness or astigmatism.
Therefore, you need to go see your doctor quite often when you start noticing two or more of these symptoms.
How to Treat Cataracts Naturally
Some doctors insist that these whitish lumps can’t be prevented. However, there are several natural treatments to partially reduce this ailment.
An organic and non-invasive treatment is an alternative for patients suffering from this disease. Here are a few ways to treat them naturally:
1. Avoid Harmful Habits
Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption will improve your quality of life. It may be difficult at first, especially due to social pressure.
However, remember that quitting smoking and drinking less will prevent the degeneration of your body. The eyes, like all the other bodily organs, will benefit from healthier habits.
2. Eat a Balanced Diet
Diet is one of the most important factors in preventing degenerative diseases. A balanced diet helps the body’s balance and effective self-regulation.
Self-regulation helps prolong the good condition of the proteins synthesized by the human body.
Meanwhile, the antioxidants in foods help keep the human body healthy. The enzymes from fruits and vegetables contribute to the health of your eyes and other organs.
3. Always Wear Sunscreen
Although it sounds unlikely, prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can contribute to the development of cataracts.
UV rays can affect the proteins and other ocular enzymes, degrading and oxidizing them. Then, the enzymes lose their main beneficial functions.
Wear sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats to protect you from harmful UV rays. You’ll protect your enzymes from degradation by doing so.
4. Use Eye Drops
We normally see the elderly use eye drops prescribed by a doctor. However, there are many pharmaceutical companies that offer high-quality over-the-counter eye drops.
Eye drops help keep your eyes hydrated and healthy. This prevents the optic nerves from overworking themselves due to insufficient lubrication, thereby reducing cataracts.
Not only elderly people suffer from cataracts. Therefore, you should adopt habits that will benefit your long-term health.
Remember that the proteins your body synthesizes will be as healthy as your lifestyle. Accept the challenge to treat cataracts naturally and keep your eyes healthy.
Via: eMedicineHealth | WebMD | Dr.Axe
