Symptoms and Treatment of Cataracts

First, we'll discuss cataract symptoms and treatment of cataracts.

Symptoms of Cataracts

These symptoms usually come on slowly over a few years, though some types of cataracts develop quickly.

Unlike dry eye symptoms, these problems are constantly present and do not vary during the day.

Treatment of Cataracts

Once a cataract has occurred, the only treatment is to surgically remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens. This is micro-surgery done under an operating microscope. We are blessed to live in a time in which we have some wonderful, skilled surgeons that do this procedure.

Doing next-day post-operative examinations is always a treat because patients marvel at the clearer, brighter and more colorful world in which they now live.

Can We Prevent Cataracts? Good question. The answer is, "Maybe."

Nutrition and Cataracts

• Though studies show that patients with diets high in fruits and vegetables have fewer and later cataracts, other studies show no improvement from taking vitamins or supplements. It should be noted that NO studies comparing improved diets with food, not vitamins, has been done. You can't patent food.
• Europe and Japan commonly use carnosine (not carnotine) in capsule form or as eyedrops, to "treat" cataracts. As I discussed in Nutritional Principles, there is a big difference between preventing and treating. I've not seen any studies that suggest a non-surgical way to reverse a cataract that has already developed. On the other hand, the possibility that carnosine or another anti-glycation agent might slow or prevent cataracts is intriguing.
• If you want to minimize your risk of cataracts, eat a good diet (See Nutritional Principles), don't smoke and exercise. If you want to try carnosine, you can order 500mg capsules from lef.org.


Return to the top of this Cataract Symptoms and Treatment of Cataracts page