Let’s get some bad news out of the way first. If you have eyes, you are at risk of developing cataracts at some point in your life. It’s a natural part of aging. Your eyes become overused and tired. But this doesn’t have to be a metaphorical death sentence for your eyesight. The good news here severely outweighs the bad news. It is possible to prevent cataracts naturally.
Natural remedies can not only ease the symptoms of cataracts, but they can prevent further development. Though these remedies may not be able to cure cataracts just yet, they can slow the progression of them. But, before we get into the natural remedies, we’ll first explain a little about cataracts.
What Are Cataracts?
There’s a lot of talk about cataracts, mostly about how much we should fear them. But what are they exactly? Simply put, cataracts blur and cloud your vision, which many describe as looking out of a dirty windshield. There’s nothing more annoying than a dirty windshield that you can’t clean. If left untreated, cataracts can sometimes lead to blindness.
This blurred vision happens when the lens of the eye becomes clouded. Light travels from the pupil, through the lens, to the eye’s light sensitive part called the retina. When the lens becomes cloudy, the light is unable to focus, which then results in poor vision. This can happen to one or both eyes. If it happens to one eye, it isn’t guaranteed that you’ll experience the same in the other eye.
The lens becomes clouded as a normal result of aging. The new cells growing on the outside of the lens push the older ones into the center of the lens. This buildup of protein at the center of the lens is the cataract that clouds your vision.
Cataracts Symptoms
It’s important to be on the lookout for cataracts. Yes, they’re a disease most often related to age, but they can be caused by numerous other factors. The more you know about how to spot a forming cataract, the quicker you can begin slowing it down.
The rule of thumb is to get your eyes checked by a professional about once a year. Or, more frequently if you have an existing eye condition. Cataracts can form at any time and don’t care if it’s convenient for you. Do yourself a favor and be on the lookout for these cataract symptoms the other 364 days of the year:
Unusually blurry or foggy vision
Progressive nearsightedness,
Seeing colors differently (not as vivid or bright) as you used to
Diminishing night vision
Glare both in the daylight and nighttime (from headlights and other artificial light sources)
Double vision or seeing double
These symptoms can be debilitating for some. If you notice something wrong, make an appointment with your eye doctor immediately.
Be the Boss of Your Cataracts: Natural Remedies
Don’t let cataracts dictate your life. Whether you have them already, in the early stages, or just want to take preventative measures, you can do it. You’re the boss of your own body.
Today, the only “cure” for cataracts is surgery. But why put yourself through that if you can prevent cataracts naturally? All you need is the will to make some simple lifestyle changes. Oh, and of course the strong desire to have healthy eyesight for the rest of your life.
The first thing you can do is brighten up your beautiful home. Brighter lights, compared to dim lights, reduce the strain in your eyes. Another thing you can do is make sure that your current contact lens or eyeglass prescriptions are accurate. Also, avoid using someone else’s prescription glasses.
Another simple thing you can do is to wear sunglasses. Protect your eyes from harmful rays and sunburns. On that note, avoid tanning booths, which produce the same harmful rays as the sun but dangerously close to your body.
One habit that is sure to skyrocket your risk of cataracts is smoking. The whole body is all connected. If you think you’re only damaging your lungs by smoking, you’re wrong. Quitting smoking is hard to do, but it isn’t impossible. Do it for your eyes, but also for your overall health.
For those looking to improve their current cataract ridden eyes, another simple fix is to change your diet. We’re not talking about spending on special organic foods. No, all you need to do is add some eye super-foods to your diet and you’ll see the results you want.
Cataracts aren’t something to be feared anymore. With all these ways to naturally prevent them, there’s no need for your vision to worsen.
This post originally appeared on Rebuild Your Vision.
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