Cataract
EYES - Cataract
Clouds of the eye
In olden days, aged people who suffered from cataract led the rest of
their life being blind. Now, in the anti-ageing era (?), everyone should thank
scientific development in surgical manipulation for lighting up the vision and
thus one’s life. Cataract is one of the most common complaints of vision problems
of people over 50 years of age. Nowadays it is also the commonest surgery among
aged persons with the maximum results.
Cataract is the disease of the lens in the eyes, where the clear lens loses
its transparency and focusing quality due to ageing or disease or trauma.
Cataract is a cloudy opaque area forming in the lens, involving the center or
periphery in one eye or both eyes. Cataract in aged persons is due to the
ageing process and usually occurs in both eyes.
Lens
Lens is a form of skin (which is developed from skin ectoderm during
embryological development) which is a colourless (not white), biconvex and
crystalline material situated just behind the pupil of the eye. It is made up
of protein and water which is arranged as a lot of fibres in dense layers. The
central part of the lens is called nucleus and the peripheral part is called
cortex. Its size is about 9 mm in diameter and 4 mm in thickness. Even though
it is a type of skin, it has no blood supply. Its nourishment and oxygen come
from aqueous humour (optically transparent watery suspension behind the lens)
and auto oxidation of lens protein (glutathione is oxidised by beta
crystalline) which help in metabolism.
The lens help in convergence of the light rays which pass through them for
forming the image in the retina. The lens is also very important for focusing
on the object. The coagulation of the proteins in the lens due to the ageing
process (loss of oxidation process) or diseases may cause cataract.
Occurrence and incidence
It occurs irrespective of race and sex, after the age of 50. Incidence is
more in people with diabetes.
Types of cataract – Cataract can be classified as
Nuclear cataract – Also termed as hard cataract where opacity is in
the centre of the lens i.e. it is sclerosis of the nucleus. The periphery part
remains transparent. It is sometimes visualised as brown or black due to
melanin deposition. This type takes a very long time to get matured.
Cortical cataract – Also termed as soft cataract where the glare is
the very first complaint. This form of cataract easily gets matured in about 6
months to one year.
Triggers of cataract: Even though there are lots of
thoughts about the triggers of cataract, the ultimate reason or exact cause
remains unknown. Researchers have not succeeded yet in knowing the cause of
cataract and mechanism of its formation. But correlation shows ageing and
deficiency of vitamins and minerals can cause cloudy and opaque cataract.
Cataracts tend to grow slowly, so vision gets lessened gradually which finally
leads to complete loss of vision when it gets fully matured.
The main triggers are:
A) Internal factors
·
Senile cataract or age-related cataract are developed
due to coagulation of lens protein and defective oxidation process of lens
·
Cataract due to deficiency of glutathione, beta crystalline, riboflavin and vitamin C
·
Congenital cataract : In this
case, cataract forms either due to infection of German measles or vitamin
deficiencies during pregnancy.
·
Systemic illness – Cataract incidence rate shows
drastic increase in diabetic patients, due to metabolic disturbances.
B) External factors
·
Trauma – Cataract can develop immediately after an eye
injury or later on slowly.
·
Irritants- Smoke, acid fumes, etc.
·
Radiation
·
Drugs – Steroidal drugs may cause cataract.
C) Infections of the eyes spreading inside involving the
lens due to delayed treatment or maltreatment will also cause cataract
formation
D) Genetic – It is also found to run in families.
Symptoms of cataract
·
Cloudy vision – as if seeing through a fog or vision will
be like washout images
·
Glaring of sunlight, lamps and it is mostly noticed at
the time of crossing the road and night driving
·
Rainbow colours or haziness or circular ring can be seen
surrounding the light.
·
Needs more light for better vision, in initial period of
cataract
Effects of cataract
·
Losing self-confidence – depression may develop.
·
Losing independent movement – achievements and self work
will get disturbed.
Diagnosis
It can be made easily by an eye check-up. You yourself can diagnose it when
you see the opaque white or grayish white thing in the pupa. Ophthalmologist
diagnoses it clearly with its type and management, with the help of
ophthalmoscope and slit lamp examination after dilating pupils with atropine.
With Refraction Chart Test and Tonometer (which helps in analysis of eye
pressure) diagnosis and its complications can be made very clear.
Regular check-up of eye, blood pressure and sugar is mostly enough for
ruling out its risk factors and sometimes culture of conjunctiva discharges may
be done to rule out bacterial infection.
Prevention of cataract: Since we don’t know the exact
cause, prevention also seems to be difficult for us. But it is better to avoid
and manage the triggering factors. So
Avoid
·
Steroidal drugs which cause cataract and glaucoma
·
Smoking and smoke
·
Watching TV for a long time
·
Working for a long time on computers.
·
Long and continuous study
·
Direct sunlight or high beam lights
Take
·
Nutritious diet for a healthy life, especially food rich
in vitamins A, B and C.
·
Rest with closed eyes for a while, when you are straining
more at the computer or reading.
·
Plenty of fluids – water, juices to avoid dehydration and
sclerosis.
·
Care of the eye and protect it from infection, dust, UV
lights, radiation and injury by wearing sunglasses.
Complications
Infections, glaucoma, blindness and
inability to view retina for any retinal diseases especially in case of
diabetic retinopathy.
Treatment
There is no specific medicine available for cataract. Recently, most
doctors prescribe antioxidants only as a general drug for old age problems,
including cataract. The main four antioxidants are beta carotene, vitamins C
and E, and the mineral selenium. Antioxidants are present naturally and mostly
in grape seeds, corns, turmeric, garlic, sesame seeds, ginger, plums, ginseng,
holy basil, olive oil, etc. Antioxidants have proved in scientific research
that they can retard or postpone many aspects of the ageing process. But it is
only a general drug and not a cure giving drug.
So allopathic treatment mainly depends on surgical manipulations or
extraction of the opaque lens and replacing it with a new clear artificial lens
i.e. an intraocular lens (IOL). Cataract surgery with IOL is the permanent
solution for opaque lens and refraction errors. There is no hard and fast rule
for operation so you can take your own relaxed time for operation.
There are different types of surgeries like:
·
Intra capsular cataract surgery – here the lens with
capsule is removed – rarely done
·
Extra capsular cataract surgery with implantation of
rigid intraocular lens – here the back part of the capsule is left undisturbed.
·
Phaco-emulsification i.e. Micro incisional surgery has
the advantages of shorter hospital stay and fewer complications. Phaco-surgery
is the most common procedure in developed countries. Here lens is emulsified
using laser and a foldable silicon lens is inserted through the minute
incision.
Now cataract surgery is very safe and effective, when performed without any
risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, glaucoma and eye disorders. Rarely
complications occur with pain, redness, swelling due to infection or pressure
in eyeballs.
Homoeopathic approach
Betterment is important and not the system or the doctor. In case of
cataract diagnosed early, surgeons usually wait till the cataract matures, so
that it can be removed easily. Until then, the patient has to suffer with the
complaint and its effects and complications.
But in Homeopathy, if you are diagnosed earlier itself as having cataract,
you can get started with Homeopathic Cineraria Maritima Succus eye drops, so
that you will never go to the surgeon’s table for cataract surgery. Prevention
is better than cure – Homeopathy is advantageous over other systems of
medicine with this saying in the case of cataract since it proves the ability
to prevent and control the progress of cataract.
The earlier you treat, the better your chance of complete recovery or
otherwise stopping the progress of the maturation of cataract. Cataract is a
structural damage, so reversing cataracts is tough, yet it can be done over
time with patience.
If later, when the cataract gets mature, the best way out is surgery and
not drops or any medications. If the patient’s health is not fit for surgery,
then they can be somewhat (10-20 per cent) benefited with this Cineraria
Maritima Succus eye drops. Also, cataract needs to be removed only if it
affects the vision so much that it interferes with your day-to-day activities.
You can postpone it for any vacation period or your leisure period.
Recent treatment proves no other eye drops can treat or cure cataract other
than CMS eye drops. Cataract can be treated in the early stages itself with
this eye drops. Early treatment gives the best results. Cineraria Eye Drops –
Cineraria Maritima Succus is the only most effective Homeopathic remedy which
can increase eye vitality power. It has been used for a long time and proved
its efficacy in treating all types of cataracts.
Recently, the Central Council of Research in Homeopathy – CCRH – Government
of India, has claimed that Cineraria Maritima Succus surely prevents cataract
formation. So, any patient diagnosed with cataract in the early stages by an
ophthalmologist, can simply use Cineraria Maritima Succus eye drops twice daily
for 6 months to 1 year. They will never let their eyes to be touched by a
surgeon’s knife.
Homeopathic Medicines should be taken under the advice and diagnosis of a
qualified Homeopath.
for
new hope
Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)
Laxmi Homeo Clinic
24 E. New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai, TN 625 001
India
Tel: +91-984-319-1011 (Mob /
Whatsapp)
Clinic : +91-452-233-8833 |
E-mail: drcheena@gmail.com
(Disclaimer: The contents of this column are
for informational purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute
for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the
advice of healthcare professional for any health problem or medical condition.)