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Cataracts Of The Eye - Who Is Most At Risk

Author: AdrianFletcher
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Cataracts are a leading cause of poor vision and blindness. It is often thought to be an aged related condition but this is the complete picture. This article will examine cataracts of the eye and who is most likely to get them.

The characteristic of a cataract in the eye is when the lens becomes cloudy. Normally, cataracts will develop in both eyes however they may develop at different paces which means that one eye will have better vision than the other. In most cases, if cataracts are identified early in their development the eyes can be treated successfully.

The lens of an eye in good condition consists of a crystallin protein that lets light pass through and be focused on the retina at the back of the eyeball. In turn the information that reaches the retina is passed via the optic nerve to the brain. The brain then interprets the information and gives it meaning or a name. When a lens has a cataract, the crystallin protein has lost it's rigidity and starts to move. This often changes the shape of the lens and leads to vision problems. After a while the drifting protein tends to form together. Where this occurs the lens becomes opaque and is often described as cloudy. This means that light cannot pass through the lens and vision is affected.

As the problem continues without treatment, more of the protein will join together making the lens completely clouded. Light will not pass through to the retina and the person will be blind. Again, this is preventable if treated in time.

Cataracts develop because of a unique character of the lens. It has no direct blood supply. Blood nourishes cells in the body giving them mineral, vitamins and in this case antioxidants. Instead the lens relies on the aqueous humor that is located behind the lens for this nourishment.

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.

As already mentioned the foods we eat and the way we digest them can also cause a build up of free radicals. Poor quality food, like many processed food cooked or preserved in trans fats will cause a build up of free radicals. Indigestion, constipation and bloating are all signs of poor digestion and keep free radical in the body for longer.

Smoking will increase the chances of developing cataracts.

Diseases such as diabetes are bad for the eyes because they impact the circulatory and nervous systems. This often leads to problems with the eyes because they do not get an adequate supply of blood. Cataracts are a common complication of diabetes.

It is true that age and genes can influence the chances of getting cataracts but by limiting your exposure to some of the factors listed above you can minimize your risk of developing cataracts.