CATRACT
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which is typically clear. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Clouded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, drive a car at night or see the expression on a friend’s face.
Most cataracts develop slowly and don’t disturb eyesight early on. But with time, cataracts will eventually affect vision.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cataracts include:
- Clouded, blurred or dim vision.
- Trouble seeing at night.
- Sensitivity to light and glare.
- Need for brighter light for reading and other activities.
- Seeing “halos” around lights.
- Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription.
- Fading or yellowing of colors.
- Double vision in one eye.
Causes
Most cataracts develop when aging or injury changes the tissue that makes up the eye’s lens. Proteins and fibers in the lens begin to break down. This causes vision to become hazy or cloudy.
Some disorders passed down from parents that cause other health problems can increase your risk of cataracts. Cataracts also can be caused by other eye conditions, past eye surgery or medical conditions such as diabetes. Long-term use of steroid medicines also may cause cataracts to develop.
Types of cataracts
Cataract types include:
- Cataracts affecting the center of the lens, called nuclear cataracts. A nuclear cataract may at first cause objects far away to be blurry but objects up close to look clear. A nuclear cataract may even improve your reading vision for a short time. But with time, the lens slowly turns more yellow or brown and makes your vision worse. It may become difficult to tell colors apart.
- Cataracts that affect the edges of the lens, called cortical cataracts. A cortical cataract begins as white, wedge-shaped spots or streaks on the outer edge of the lens cortex. As the cataract slowly grows, the streaks spread to the center and affect light passing through the lens.
- Cataracts that affect the back of the lens, called posterior subcapsular cataracts. A posterior subcapsular cataract starts as a small spot that usually forms near the back of the lens, right in the path of light. A posterior subcapsular cataract often affects your reading vision. It also may reduce your vision in bright light and cause glare or halos around lights at night. These types of cataracts tend to grow faster than others.
Cataracts you’re born with, called congenital cataracts. Some people are born with cataracts or develop them during childhood. These cataracts may be passed down from parents. They also may be associated with an infection or trauma while in the womb.
Risk factors
Factors that increase your risk of cataracts include:
- Increasing age.
- Diabetes.
- Getting too much sunlight.
- Smoking.
- Obesity.
- Family history of cataracts.
- Previous eye injury or inflammation.
- Previous eye surgery.
- Prolonged use of corticosteroid medicines.
- Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
Cataract Treatment in Ayurveda
Ayurveda offers effective treatment procedures for cataracts that aim to address the underlying imbalances in the body and support overall eye health.
Let’s look at some of the commonly used Ayurvedic medicine for cataracts:
- Anjana: Ayurvedic herbal collyrium made of Madhuka, Triphala, and Amla can help delay the progress of cataracts.
- Netra Tarpana: Ayurvedic treatment for the eyes involves placing a ring of dough around the eyes and filling it with medicated ghee. This treatment nourishes and strengthens the eyes, making it helpful in managing cataracts.
- Aschodanam: Ayurvedic eyedrops for cataract made of goat milk and eye-nourishing herbs.
- Siravedam: Bloodletting after proper snehana and swedana can help manage cataract symptoms.
