Glaucoma Care

Cataracts

Myths:

Everyone eventually develops cataracts.

Facts:

Cataracts can not only be prevented, but can even be reversed through nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle changes.

Overview:

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness around the world. In the United States, cataracts are the major cause of vision loss, although due to the high level of care available to us, cataracts are among the most treatable causes of diminished vision.

Cataracts can best be described as an opaque spot on the lens of the eye that you cannot see through. At best, you seem to be looking through a cloud or a haze, and this haze can vary in size, density and location. Therefore, its effect on your vision will also vary. Many people experience a general reduction in vision at first; they need more light to read by, or they have difficulty with street signs when they're driving. A cataract can also effect depth perception. This can be a particular danger to older people who risk greater injury from falls and accidents.

Symptoms:

  • Blurry vision, especially in bright light
  • Loss of night vision
  • Cloudiness on the eye lens
  • Requiring more light for reading
  • Getting tired when reading
  • Difficulty judging distances or steps
  • Seeing halos, particularly in sunlight
  • Glasses always seem dirty

Causes:

These drugs can cause or worsen cataracts: (also see "Drugs That Harm the Eyes" for a more complete list of harmful drugs:)

Photosensitizing drugs (drugs that make you more sensitive to the sun) are drugs that absorb light energy and undergo a photochemical reaction resulting in chemical modification of tissue. They can make you more susceptible to cataracts and macular degeneration. The following is a list of those drugs:

  • Antihistamines
  • Birth control pills
  • Tranquilizers
  • Sulfa drugs
  • Oral anti-diabetic drugs
  • Antidepressants
  • NSAIDS (for example ibuprofen, advil, meclofen).
  • Steroids - may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts. Steroids work by mimicking the action of the body's own hormones to help control inflammation. They are usually prescribed for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Chrohn's Disease,and lupus. Long- term steroid use can cause posterior subcapsular cataracts and increases in intraocular pressure. These cataracts will develop in up to 50 per cent of people taking 10 to 15 milligrams of prednisone daily for one to two years. These cataracts are very dense and can cause a rapid loss of vision. They will not go away even after you stop the medication and will have to be surgically removed. Though not as common as cataracts, sustained treatment of steroids can cause a rise in intraocular pressure leading to glaucoma, though after the steroid use is stopped the intraocular pressure will return to normal. The bad news is any damage done by the rise in pressure will remain. Steroid use can also indirectly damage the eye by causing an increase in blood sugar therefore causing diabetes. If you must take steroids make sure you take high doses of anti-oxidants such as alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E , and lutein to help prevent cataract formation.
  • Fluroquinone, terbinafine, mefloquine type antibiotics
  • Glucocorticoids (Prednisone)
  • Eretinate, isoretinoin

Conventional Treatment:

Surgery is the most common treatment for removing cataracts. Following are the three major methods:

  • Extracapsular surgery: The lens is removed except for the back half of its outer covering.
  • Phacoemulsification: Only the lens core is removed after breaking it up with ultrasound.
  • Intracapsular: The entire lens and its capsule are removed. (This is rarely done.)

Most often, a plastic disc is inserted into the capsule, replacing the lens. This artificial lens is a permanent implant, except when it becomes clouded and needs replacement. Alternatives to an implant include a removable contact lens or special purpose eyeglasses.

Recovery from the operation itself takes only a day or so, but adjusting to the new lens can require weeks for some people, and as much as several months for others. For several weeks after surgery, using eye drops or ointment is recommended to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Note that cataract surgery can increase the risk of retinal detachment, which may occur at a later date.

Surgery may not be necessary if:

  • Your lifestyle is not affected by cataracts
  • Vision will not improve because of pre-existing eye problems
  • Glasses or contact lenses could provide satisfactory vision

Complementary Treatment:
Recommended Vitamins, Supplements, Herbs & Other Nutritional Products

Shopping Tips

On a tight budget?

Here's our single most important recommendation:

Doctor's Choice: Can-C Eyedrops (see multiple box discount offers) - with 1% N-Acetyl-Carnosine.


Discount Packages

Can-C 3 Box Special ($35 per box) - 3 Box Special ($13.50 savings off already discounted prices + s/h)


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CAN-C 12 boxes discounted special ($29.95/box) - 12 boxes discounted special -- $117 savings off already discounted prices (plus s/h)

Essential: Can-C Eyedrops (see multiple box discount offers) - with 1% N-Acetyl-Carnosine.

Essential: Cineraria Cataract Eye Drops - the traditional homeopathic remedy found in the Ophthalmology section of the Physicians Desk reference for over 25 years as a treatment for cataracts.

Essential: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula - Dr. Grossman's whole food formula for retinal support and overall eye health.

Very Important: Glutathione Booster - 180 caps - helps boost glutathione production in the body. Glutathione is a superantioxidant also found in the lens of the eyes to help protect the lens from damage.

Very Important: Vitamin C Complex 1000mg 120 vcaps - 1000 mg 120 vtabs with natural buffers to help the body utilize the vitamin C more efficiently,

Helpful: Fruits N Greens 180 gm - 180 gram organic formula loaded with fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Helpful: Dr. Grossman's Combo (Both Formulas) - Best Deal - get both of Dr. Grossman's whole food formulas for just $57.90, a savings of $18.55 from retail prices monthly on Automatic delivery. Can be modified or cancelled at any time.

Helpful: MSM Eyedrops 1 oz (30ml) - contains natural occurring sulfur found in eggs and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower - has natural anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties.

Self Help:

Since we consider most eye conditions to be a reflection of the health of the whole body, lifestyle choices and diet can play a major factor in getting and maintaining good vision. Below are some recommendations:

The Vision Diet - recommended in Natural Eye Care: Your Guide to Healthy Vision, authored by Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac. and Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac. This CD covers 29 major eye conditions including cataracts with specific nutrient, diet, exercise and juicing instructions by eye condition, plus much more.

  • Reduce or eliminate drinking caffeine and sodas, avoid aspartame (labeled diet foods) and man-made fats (corn oil and safflower oil, trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils including canola oil).
  • Daily juicing of vegetables and fruits (preferably organic). Our cataract recipe is some combination of the following: raspberries, watermelon, carrots, spinach, celery, radish (not too much fruit). For more information, go to info on juicing
  • Eliminate deep fat fried foods, monosodium glutanate (MSG) used as a flavor enhancer which is a potential retinal toxin (Inv Oph 1996; 37: 1618-24), and fat blockers like Olestra which impair the absorption of carotenoids (Argus, August 1996;19:18:July 1996;19:22).
  • Limit your alcohol consumption to 1 glass of red wine at night. Alcohol interferes with liver functions, reducing protective glutathione levels (Alcohol 1993;10;469-75).
  • Eliminate smoking. Smoking among other things produces cyanide, a retinal toxin.
  • Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin such as One Plus Multivitamin or Dr. Grossman's Whole Food Multivitamin and/or an organic green drink.
  • Limit the amount of medications (both prescription and non-prescription as much as possible. Make sure to work closely with your doctor.
  • Exercise daily - do at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. Walking and swimming are two excellent forms of exercise.
  • Avoid microwaves. Leakage from microwave ovens are a direct cause of cataracts, so avoid peeking into the oven door window while you cook. In addition, food proteins exposed to microwaves can become toxic to the lens, which is made up mostly of proteins.
  • Managing your emotional health is very important in maintaining physical health. Fear (fear of failure, responsibility, of being alone, of death, etc.) is at the root of many of life's problems, and is a major factor in many diseases. Take up the practice of meditation, yoga, tai chi, prayer, etc.

    • See related studies

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