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What You Need To Know About Cataracts 1. A sign of aging: Cataracts, which are a clouding of the lens that affects vision, are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery, according to the National Eye Institute. But you don't have to be a senior citizen to get this type of cataract, known as senile cataracts. In fact, people can have age-related cataracts in their 40s and 50s, but most are small and do not affect vision. It's after age 60 that most cataracts steal vision. 2. Causes: Nobody is certain, but it may be that the protein in the lens changes over the years. Some researchers believe you're also at risk if you smoke, have diabetes, or have experienced prolonged exposure to sunlight. You may get other types of cataracts from eye surgery, steroid use, or radiation therapy. 3. What happens: Clumps of opaque protein reduce the sharpness of the image reaching the retina. The clear lens slowly changes to a yellowish/brownish color, adding a brownish tint to vision. Symptoms include cloudy or blurry vision, faded colors, double vision, glare, poor night vision, and a halo around lights. 4. Prevention: Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block ultraviolet sunlight may help to delay cataracts. If you smoke, stop. Researchers at Harvard Medical School recently found a link between a steady diet high in fruits and vegetables and a lowered chance of developing cataracts. The National Eye Institute has ongoing studies on whether vitamin supplements can delay cataract progression. If you are 60 or older, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once every two years. 5. Surgery: Cataract removal is one of the most common operations performed in the United States. In about 90 percent of cases, people who have cataract surgery have better vision afterward. Dr. Cinque's comments: There is surely a universal tendency towards cataracts. And it's not just in humans. Cataracts in dogs, for instance, are extremely common and well known. There is much debate about what exactly causes cataracts, but oxidative damage is definitely involved. It is damage to the protein, and the leading theory is that it involves glycation, which is a pathological reaction between protein and glucose. It's a very complicated process because there are also changes going on that cause the lens to become more stiff and inflexible with age- less able to bend when trying to bring near objects into focus, a process known as accomodation. In my case, for instance, I am certainly experiencing symptoms of a loss of accomodation, but not symptoms of cataract-at least not that I am aware. Today, millions of people are trying to use nutrition to ward off future eye problems. You know about the lutein and zeaxanthin to prevent macular degeneration. But to ward off cataracts, the attention has been on anti-glycation agents, particularly Carnosine and Benfotiamine. Carnosine, a di-peptide consisting of the amino acids alanine and histidine holding hands, can even be used in the form of eye-drops to prevent cataracts, and the animal research on this is quite impressive. VRP used to offer the Carnosine eye-drops, but the FDA stepped in and made us stop. It's perfectly safe, and it was just a matter of politics. You can still get Carnosine eye-drops- by prescription and for about 5X the price. However, many people take Carnosine orally, and it benefits the eyes and more as glycation occurs all over the body. Regarding Benfotiamin, it is the fat-soluble form of Vitamin B-1, and it has been used for many years in Europe as an anti-glycation agent, though it is just catching on here. I take both Carnosine and Benfotiamine every day, so you will see them listed on the Daily Program page. I do it for the sake of my eyes, and for my overall health since glycation is involved in the whole aging process. There is a lot at stake, and I consider these supplements to be leveraged- but only for good and not harm. E-mail to a friend Previous Article |
