As people age, the chance of developing cataracts is increased. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens. The lens is inside of the eye and is contained inside of a sack. As cells die, they become trapped in the sack and cloud the lens. The lens is transparent and responsible for refracting light to produce a sharp image on the retina. It also changes its shape to focus images and adjust for focal distance. The lens of your eye is very similar to the lens of a camera. It must be clear and focused for sharp vision.
Cataracts form in or around the lens and block light from entering. The development of cataracts is generally gradual and usually affects one eye before the other. The first signs of cataract formation may be myopia, or near-sightedness, or the loss of the ability to see the color blue. If left untreated, cataracts cause deteriorating vision and eventually blindness.
Cataracts can be caused by many things, including over-exposure to sunlight or radiation, diabetes, high blood pressure, or simply old age. Sometimes cataracts are genetically inherited or caused by eye injury. In many cases, cataract formation can be slowed down or delayed by following a few preventative guidelines.
Wearing sunglasses that reduce exposure to UVA and UVB sun rays can be helpful. Check to see if your sunglasses specifically offer 100% UV protection. Remember that darker lenses do not necessarily have UV protection. You may want to speak with your optometrist about choosing sunglasses if you are not sure.
Recent studies have shown great promise in delaying and preventing cataracts with nutrition and nutritional supplements. Many vitamins and minerals have a positive effect on eye health. Leutein, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, zinc and vitamins A, C, and E have shown the greatest benefit.
Antioxidants are especially helpful in reducing cataract risk and minimizing the need for surgery. Researchers say that a lot of the eye’s degeneration is caused by oxidative stress. The turn-over of eye cells becomes less efficient as we age. The deposit of old cells in the lens sack is worsened by free radical damage. Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress and help the body rid itself of excess free radicals.
The eye uses a lot of vitamin A to function, so be sure that your multivitamin or diet contains enough of it. B vitamins are used to maintain the metabolism of the eye and can help to maintain healthy eye function. Vitamin C supplements are recommended for reducing eye strain, pressure, and oxidative stress. Supplementing with the best vitamin C, buffered vitamin c powder, may be recommended by your physician for optimal absorption and reduced stomach upset. People who supplement with vitamin E in conjunction with vitamin C and other antioxidants have shown the greatest resistance to cataracts in most studies.
Talk with your optometrist and physician about your risk factors for developing cataracts. With the proper vitamins and supplements, diet, and eye protection, you can reduce your chances of losing your vision later in life.
About the Author: Phil Le Breton is the owner at Wholesale Nutrition. He has a strong interest in helping people achieve greater brain and body health with vitamins and supplements. Wholesale Nutrition has the best vitamin C powder on the market (C-Salts). Visit http://www.nutri.com to buy vitamin C supplements of the highest quality.
