Don’t Take Your Eyes For Granted

Good eyesight, especially as we age, is normally attributed to “good genes”, yet few people realize that diet can play an important part in the overall health of the eye. Complex diseases of the eye, such as glaucoma, are beyond the scope of this article, however, the causes and treatments available for cataracts will be discussed.

Although cataracts are most commonly associated with an aging population, the condition can also be brought on by long term use of steroids and by having diabetes. The World Health Organization estimates that roughly 12 to 15 million people in the US are blind from cataracts.

Cataracts form when proteins inside your lens (the flexible and transparent part of the eye through which light passes) aggregate, as a result of free radical damage. The build up of these proteins in the lens is exacerbated by high blood sugar levels, which is why so many diabetics are susceptible to cataract formation. As a result, light has great difficulty permeating the lens and vision can become blurry. The condition will only worsen over time, and if left unattended, may result in total blindness.

There are however, a number of relatively simple steps you can take, to help prevent cataract formation. Also, there are some medications that may eliminate the need for surgery.

It is important to see an optician or Ophthalmologist for a check up if you experience any of the symptoms outlined below, as all are symptoms of eye diseases including cataracts.

• Worsening of vision, cloudy or blurry vision
• Spots in your vision
• Increased difficulty driving at night
• Street lights and direct sunlight appearing too bright
• Having difficulty determining different colors, especially blue shades
• Needing to change your glasses frequently as your eyesight deteriorates

Conventional treatment for cataracts will more or less depend on the severity of the condition. Surgery may be your best option if your vision has been compromised radically. Surgery success rates are high and in most cases, vision will be completely restored. This day surgery involves removing the damaged lens and implanting an artificial one. The patent is awake during the procedure.

Preventative measures you can take to reduce your exposure to free radicals include:

• Giving up smoking
• Wearing suitable protective sunglasses that block all UV rays
• Taking antioxidants such as vitamin C (1,000mg daily), beta carotene (10,000IU daily) and vitamin E (400IU daily)
• Following a healthy and nutritious diet

In addition, it is wise to reduce your intake of refined sugars, including high fructose corn syrup, as it contributes to the build up of lens proteins. If you don’t suffer with a nut allergy, you might consider eating more hazelnuts. In 2005, an animal study undertaken by Turkish researchers from the Department of Ophthalmology, Military Medical School in Ankara, discovered that hazelnuts helped reduce cataract symptoms.

The following supplements are also known to reduce the risk of cataracts, particularly where the condition is hereditary.

• Carnosine, a compound that is found naturally in your body, particularly muscle, prevents free radicals from attacking the eye lens
• N-acetyl-carnosine (a variant of carnosine) works the same way as Carnosine, by inhibiting free radical damage; however, it is better utilized within the eye, because it remains biologically active for longer. It delivers L-Carnosine to the aqueous humor, (the fluid area surrounding the lens), where its anti-oxidant action protects the structural lens proteins against oxidation. It is available in eye drops, for example Can-C, and has been tested in human, clinical trials on a number of senile cataract patients. When applied twice a day for a period of 6 months, statistics illustrated an 88.9% improvement in glare sensitivity; a 41.5% improvement in the ability of the lens to transmit light; and a 90% improvement in visual acuity
• Inositol is part of the vitamin B complex, and an important constituent of eye tissue. Low levels have been linked to cataract formation. B complex supplementation may therefore be useful
• Curcumin is a well know antioxidant and a common ingredient in Indian curries. Scientists from the Physiology Division, Osmania University, Hyderabad, have found that curcumin, taken together with vitamin E, can significantly reduce the incidence of cataracts
• Lutein and zeaxanthin are also essential eye nutrients, protecting against cataract formation and macular degeneration, which affects the retina, causing partial loss of vision. Both can be supplemented but are also available in natural foods

As antioxidants are known to help ward off a number of degenerative diseases, it may well be prudent to include these in your diet to help protect your eyes, as well as other parts of your body. Although developing cataracts may be unavoidable if you have a genetic predisposition, there are certainly a number of positive steps you can take, starting now, to reduce your overall risk of developing the condition.