Cataract
Cataract is among the most common eye diseases. The
term actually means a waterfall, and refers to the opacity of the crystalline
lens of the eye on the assumption that the condition is caused by the humour of
the brain falling over the pupil. The crystalline lens, through which light
travels into the interior of the eye, is situated just behind the iris, or
coloured portion of the eye. In cataract, this lens becomes opaque, hence
seriously hampering the entrance of light into the eye. Blindness ensues when
no light rays can permeate the opacity of the lens. According to the modern
medical system, a surgical operation to remove the lens or a major portion of
it is the only way to get rid of the disease. The patient is provided with
suitable glasses after the operation to enable him to see well enough to carry
on his normal duties.
Symptoms
The first sign of cataract is blurred vision. The
patient finds it difficult to see things in focus. As the cataract progresses,
the patient may get double vision or spots or both. There is a gradual increase
in blindness. At first, vision in twilight may be better than in full daylight
since light is admitted round the more widely-dilated pupil in the dark. In the
advance stage, objects and persons may appear merely blobs of light. In the final
stage, there is a grayish–white discoloration in the pupil.
Causes
Cataract is often found in association with other
defects of the eye. There are four factors which contribute to the loss of
transparency of the lens. These are stagnation of the fluid current in the lens
resulting from blood condition; deterioration in the nutrition of the lens
which diminishes the vitality and resistence of the delicate lens fibers;
deposits between the lens fibers of acids and salts which have an irritating
effect on the lens tissues and exert an increasing pressure on its delicate
fibers, clouding whole lens in the absence of appropriate measures. As in the
case of most diseases, poisons in the blood stream due to dietetic errors and a
faulty style of living, is the real cause of cataract. The toxic matter in the
blood stream spreads throughout the body to find shelter in any available weak
spot. It strikes the lens if that part has become weak through strain,
excessive use of the eyes and local irritation. The condition becomes worse
with the passage of time and then a cataract starts developing. Other causes of
cataract are stress and strain, excessive intake of alcoholic drinks, sugar, salt,
smoking, certain physical ailments such as gastro-intestinal or gall- bladder
disturbance, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, especially of vitamin C, fatty
acid intolerance, ageing, radiation and side- effects of drugs prescribed for
other diseases. Some specialists believe that the most important cause of many cataract
is poor nutrition. This may be true even in case of the type of cataract
commonly called senile or ageing cataract. The cause may be a lifetime of malnutrition.
Dr. Morgan Raiford, an ophthalmologist who has studied cataracts for many
years, considers faulty nutrition to be a basic factor in cataract. He has
found from experience that prevention of cataract is initiated by improving nutrition.
Treatment
Cataract is one of the most stubborn conditions to
deal with, if it has become deep-seated, nothing short of a surgical operation
will help in overcoming the trouble. If, however, the cataract is in the early
stages, there are good chances of getting over the ailment by natural means.
Even advanced cases can be prevented from becoming worse. A thorough course of
cleansing the system of the toxic matter is essential. To start with, it will
be beneficial to undergo a fast for three to four days on orange juice and
water. A warm water enema may be taken during this period. After this initial
fast, a diet of very restricted nature should be followed for two weeks. In
this regimen, breakfast may consist of oranges or grapes or any other juicy
fruit in season. Raw vegetable salads in season, with olive oil and lemon juice
dressing, and soaked raisins, figs or dates should be taken during lunch.
Evening meals may consist of vegetable such as spinach, fenugreek, drum sticks,
cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, turnips, steamed in their own juices, and a few
nuts or some fruits, such as apples, pears and grapes. Potatoes should not be
taken. No bread or any other food should be added to this diet. After two weeks
on this diet, the cataract patient may start on a fuller diet on the following
lines:
Breakfast : Any
fresh fruits in season, except bananas.
Lunch : A
large mixed raw vegetable salad with whole meal bread or chapatis and butter.
Dinner : Two
or three steamed vegetables, other than potatoes, with nuts and fresh fruit.
The short fast followed by a restricted diet should
be repeated after three months of the commencement of the treatment and again
three months later, if necessary. The bowels should be cleansed daily with a
warm water enema during the fast, and afterwards as necessary. The patient
should avoid white bread, sugar, cream, refined cereals, rice, boiled potatoes,
puddings and pies, strong tea or coffee, alcoholic beverages, condiments,
pickles, sauces or other so-called aids to digestion. There is increasing
evidence to show that in several cases cataracts have actually been reversed by
proper nutritional treatment. However, the time needed for such treatment may extend
from six months to three years. Adelle Davis, one of America ’s best-known nutritionists,
has pointed out that animals develop cataracts if deprived of pantotehnic acid
and amino acid, tryptophane and vitamin B6 needed for tryptophane assimilation.
She states that the diet of the cataract patient should be high in B2, B6, as
well as whole B-complex, panto thenic acid, vitamin C, D, E and other
nutrients. The aniseed is considered a useful remedy for cataract. The patient
should take about six grams of aniseed daily in the morning and evening. Equal
weights of aniseed and coriander powder and mixed with brown sugar is also
beneficial in the treatment of this disease and the mixture should be taken in
doses of 12 grams in the morning and evening. Another valuable remedy for cataract
is to grind seven kernels of almonds and half a gram of pepper together in
water, and then drink the mixture after sifting and sweetening the mixture with
sugar candy. It helps the eyes to regain their vigour. Simultaneous with the
dietary treatment, the patient should adopt various methods of relaxing and
strengthening the eyes. These include moving the eyes gently up and down, from
side to side and in a circle, clock-wise and anti-clockwise; rotating the neck
in circles and semi-circles and briskly moving the shoulders clock-wise and
anti-clockwise. The patient should also resort to palming which is highly
beneficial in removing strain and relaxing the eyes and its surrounding tissues.
The procedure has been outlined in chapter 40 on defective vision. The epsom
salt bath is highly beneficial and should be taken twice a week. The patient
should remain in the bath from 25 to 35 minutes till he perspires freely. After
the bath the patient should cool off gradually. Closed eyes should also be
bathed at least twice daily with hot water containing epsom salt - a
tablespoonful of salt to a large cupful of hot water. In cases where the
cataract has been caused by stress, an antistress diet rich in protein, vitamin B,C, E, pantothenic acid and nutrients is essential
to overcome the trouble. If a cataract has already developed, the diet will
help prevent its occurrence in the other type. Fresh air and gentle outdoor
exercises, such as walking, are other essentials to the treatment. Exposure to
heat and bright light should be avoided as far as possible.
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