Home remedies for cataract
When it comes to eyes
we have to perk up and take matters seriously. Nothing can lighten up your life
if your eyes take the road to darkness.
What is Cataract :
It is a condition in which the clarity of the natural lens reduces. Lens of the eye becomes opaque. This hampers the passage of light leading to drastic vision loss. At the beginning of the cataract the cloudiness covers only a small area of the lens and your vision seems to be the same as it always was. But as time advances the cataract spreads out and clouds more of the lens of the eye. Substantially less light gets through the retina , your vision gets noticeably affected and you are finally aware that something is wrong and needs to be corrected.
Cataract often forms first around the outside of the lens . Cataract typically forms as the tissues within the lens in your eye break down and form clumps .These clumps cause clouded areas in your eye which in turn impair your eye sight .The earlier you can detect any cataract formation ,the better the chances of reversing or stopping the problem from progressing.
Causes
Ageing – As the name suggests this type of cataract develops as a result of ageing, no one knows for sure why the eyes lens changes as we age ,forming cataract.
Congenital – Babies are sometimes born with cataracts as a result of an infection , injury or poor development before they were born or they may develop during childhood.
Diabetes – This makes eyes weak and cloudy giving rise to cataract.
Exposure to excessive UV ray.
Some medicines.
Some metabolic diseases.
Smoking.
High BP.
Obesity.
Symptoms
Blurred vision and as the disease progresses the patient may get dark spots.
In the advance stage there can be grayish white discoloration of the pupil.
Home remedies- Eye health is a topic that needs serious care. These tips may help you manage your vision problems and avoid or delay surgery:
-Put one drop of unprocessed pure honey in the eyes once or twice a day for at least 3 months.
-Consumption of mix juice of carrot, tomato and spinach daily. It is enriched with carotenoids which are known for strengthening the retina of the eye and can reverse the effect of cataract. It is rich in vitamin A also.
-Increase the garlic content in your daily diet . It helps clean the lenses of eyes but one should be cautious taking garlic if having acidity problem. It cleans your lens like you have just cleaned them with soap and water. All you have to do is to consume 2-3 cloves of garlic every day.
-Dry fruits mainly dates , figs and raisins are very useful as a natural cure for cataract ; but in a limit for a diabetic patient.
-Mix cardamom powder in a glass of milk and drink it daily at night. Milk should be fat free.
-Green tea- you can drink a cup of green tea every morning to deal with the problem of cataract. Regular consumption of green tea can promote cell rejuvenation and improve eyesight.
-Tea of Rosemary and mint is also very beneficial in cataract. Rosemary contains powerful antioxidants.
-Turmeric is a rich source of vitamins , carotenoid and antioxidants. Use it in vegetables regularly.
-Wheat grass juice is also very helpful to cure cataract or you can take wheatgrass supplements daily.
-Antioxidants including vitamin C are important for reversing deteriorating eye health. So orange , kinoos, mosammi, kiwi, guava, grapes are good to eat. You can take juice of these fruits also.
-Salads made up of raw vegetables that are a rich source of vitamin A are beneficial.
-Take Aniseeds (fennels)with brown sugar around 6 gm everyday in morning and evening is beneficial.
-Papaya is the fruit that contains an enzyme called papain . This particular enzyme is helpful in protein digestion. Excess protein accumulation can cause cataract and if you have papaya in your diet the accumulation of protein will become less and thus the chances of developing cataract will be reduced.
Avoided foods
Avoid fatty foods.
Avoid things like bread, sugar, cream , refined cereals etc.
Rice, potatoes, puddings, strong tea, coffee.
Pickle.
Oily and spicy food.
Alcohol.
Avoid exposure to sun, heat, emotional and mental stress.
Do not use any anti histamine drugs (medicines used to treat allergy) if you have cataract. Anti histamines have a drying effect on your eyes and they increase light sensitivity also.
Avoid glare on TV and Computer screen.
Ayurvedic treatment-
When the opacity of lens is just beginning to develop give 2 tsp of Mahatriphala Ghrit mixed in a glassful of hot milk . Take it daily in morning and evening. This is the most specific and effective medicine to be used at the onset of cataract.
Note - Bhramari Pranayam is a natural remedy for cataract.
Dr. Suman Setia ,BAMS, DNHE, PGDHHM.