Symptoms And Natural Treatments For Cataracts
How good would you say your vision is? Most of us would probably like to say that we think it is exceptional and that it will stay that way for a while. However, cataracts are a problem for 40% of people over the age of 60. Learn about the symptoms and some treatments for cataracts in this article.
Over time, this problem gets worse. Precisely because of this, it is important that you pay attention to what is happening to your eyes. As soon as you notice anything strange, you should consult your ophthalmologist immediately to get a checkup.
If you discover problems like this in time, you have a better chance of preventing them from getting worse.
What is cataracts?
Cataracts, or cataracts, are small accumulations that occur in the eye. When they appear, they make the lens of the eye foggy and gradually continue to grow.
It is common to start noticing these problems in your 40s, even though they start to intensify in your 60s.
Symptoms of cataracts
When cataracts begin to appear, you will notice small changes in a small area of the eye. Over time, you will notice loss of vision or a feeling that you have something in your eye.
The most common symptoms are:
- blurred vision
- photosensitivity
- difficulty seeing in the dark
- to see halos or shadows around light
- loss of the ability to see the color yellow
- double vision in the affected eye
- constant changes in your lenses
- difficulty reading something on a white background
Natural treatments for cataracts
As we mentioned earlier, it is possible to prevent cataracts by taking good care of your eyes and maintaining good habits. Although there are some factors that can have a big impact, such as genetics, there are always things you can do to help.
These are the best natural treatments to fight cataracts:
Minimize your contact with harmful substances
Your eyes are very sensitive organs and it is easy for them to come into contact with harmful substances. Since cataracts are an accumulation of waste, it is important that you avoid or limit your contact with :
- Alcohol. Consuming alcohol not only damages your liver. Your blood flow can cause some of the waste to reach your eyes and can cause them to worsen over time.
- Tobacco. If you smoke regularly, it is incredibly important that you quit as it, just like alcohol, can cause residue to reach your eyes.
The most important thing is that you avoid contact with cigarette smoke. Think about the fact that tobacco residues can reach your eyes directly through smoke.
- Chemical substances. Do you use over-the-counter eye drops? Although it may seem completely harmless, the ingredients in these products can cause problems.
If you experience dryness or irritation in your eyes, you should contact your eye doctor. Hen can check your eyes to see if you need another treatment.
2. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day
Do you usually eat overly processed foods? You may want to change this habit and try to consume fresh fruits and vegetables.
These are rich in natural chemicals called phytonutrients. Their function is to maintain the health of the eyes and slow down the occurrence of vision-related diseases such as cataracts.
- If you do not like raw vegetables, try including them in salads with different spices.
- When it comes to fruits, be careful not to eat too much of them, as this can increase your glucose levels.
Include vitamin A in your diet
Vitamin A is usually associated with vision. If you do not get the right amounts of it, your eyes will start to show degenerative problems and may develop cataracts, damaged retinas and macular degeneration.
Some ways you can get vitamin A are by eating:
- carrots
- green leafy vegetables
- sweet potatoes
4. Foods rich in vitamin C against cataracts
Another food group that reduce your chances of developing cataracts are those that contain vitamin C. This vitamin is just as important as vitamin A, and you should consume it as fresh as possible.
If you have severe deficiencies of this nutrient, you should talk to your doctor and take a daily supplement. If not, remember to include two or three of the following foods in your diet each day:
- 75 grams of raw peppers (1/2 cup)
- 1 orange or 2 tangerines
- 1/2 cup pineapple
- 1 grapefruit
- 6 strawberries
- 1 tomato
- 150 grams of raw broccoli (1 cup)
- 12 grapes
5. Take a special vitamin supplement
You can find all kinds of multivitamins at the pharmacy and grocery store. We recommend that you take a type that is specially designed for better vision, in consultation with your doctor.
The packaging should clearly show that the vitamins are for better eyesight, but if you do not find this type, you should check that they contain lutein. They are relatively economical and can help you prevent other problems in addition to cataracts.
If you are not sure what is the best option for you, you should consult your doctor or ophthalmologist for recommendations.
6. Foods with omega-3 against cataracts
Regular intake of fish and other sources of omega-3 reduces the risk of developing cataracts. It is recommended that you ingest at least one serving of the following foods each day:
- sardines in oil
- chia seeds
- salmon
- tuna
- nuts from trees
