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Cataracts Of The Eye - Who Is Most At Risk

Cataracts are the most common reason why people have a reduced level of vision. It is generally associated with getting old but this is not completely true. This article will discuss what cataracts are and who is most at risk of getting cataracts.

An eye is said to develop a cataract when the lens becomes cloudy. In most cases cataracts start in both eyes but develop at separate speeds meaning that one eye may have better vision than the other. Often, cataracts can be treated successfully if identified at an early stage.

A lens in a healthy eye is made up of a transparent protein that allows light to pass through it and refract onto the retina. From the retina the image is passed by the optic nerve to the brain where it is interpreted and given a meaning. In the case of a lens that has a cataract, the cells that make up the protein begin to lose strength. This causes the overall shape of the lens to change and concentrations of protein will join together. This has the affect of making areas within the lenses cloudy and distort vision.

As the condition develops more of the protein will come together making the lens even more cloudy or opaque. Eventually the lens will be so cloudy that no light can pass through and the person has complete loss of vision. It must be stressed that this condition is reversible if picked up in the early stages of development.

Cataracts develop because of the unique configuration of the lens. The lens has no direct blood supply like other parts of the body. Rather it relies on the aqueous humor in the eyeball and behind the lens. The aqueous humor provides the lens with nourishment and antioxidants.

The primary cause of cataracts is exposure to free radicals. Free radicals are thought to cause illness and diseases in the body, including many cancers. The affects can be minimized by antioxidants that are delivered to the cells of the body through the blood supply. As the lens does not have a direct blood supply it cannot get antioxidants and is susceptible to the damage causes by free radicals.

Free radicals enter the body in many ways. For instance sunlight is a cause of free radicals. The types of foods that we eat also introduce free radicals into the body. As we get older the free radicals will build up and have more affect on the body. This is partly why people get cataracts as they get older. However there are a number of other risk factors which predispose people to getting cataracts.

Too much exposure to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight will create free radicals that will ultimately damage the lenses of the eyes. Eye protection is important in sunny climates just like sun screen is important for the skin.

A poor diet and a poor digestive system will cause a build up of free radicals. Avoid eating poor quality food, like foodstuff cooked in saturated and trans fats. They are thought to increase the build up of free radicals. If you have digestion problems, like indigestion, acid reflux, bloating or constipation then eat more fiber.

Smoking is also thought to increase the chances of getting cataracts.

Other types of diseases, like diabetes for example, weaken the circulation of blood in the eyes and can lead to cataracts developing in the lenses.

Whilst it is true that old age does increase the chances of developing cataracts, you can prevent this occurring if you follow some of the tips listed above.

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Get more details on cataracts, including the major causes of cataracts and some of the symptoms of cataracts at eyecareinsight.com. You can get a unique content version of this article.

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