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The Main Risk Factors For Cataracts Of The Eye |
By:
Adrian Fletcher |
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The Main Risk Factors For Cataracts Of The Eye
Adrian Fletcher
Cataracts are the most common reason why people have a reduced level of vision. It is generally associated with getting old but this is not completely true. This article will discuss what cataracts are and who is most at risk of getting cataracts.
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.
A lens in a healthy eye is made up of a transparent protein that allows light to pass through it and refract onto the retina. From the retina the image is passed by the optic nerve to the brain where it is interpreted and given a meaning. In the case of a lens that has a cataract, the cells that make up the protein begin to lose strength. This causes the overall shape of the lens to change and concentrations of protein will join together. This has the affect of making areas within the lenses cloudy and distort vision.
If this process goes undetected, more of the protein will come together making more of the lens cloudy. Eventually the lens will become completely cloudy and no light can pass through it. This will cause blindness in the person.
Cataracts develop because of the unique configuration of the lens. The lens has no direct blood supply like other parts of the body. Rather it relies on the aqueous humor in the eyeball and behind the lens. The aqueous humor provides the lens with nourishment and antioxidants.
Cataracts, which are effectively cell damage develop because of exposure to free radicals. This is exacerbating because the lens cannot get the antioxidants that could reduce this damage as it has no direct blood supply. Free radicals are thought to lead to a number of disease and ailments in the body , including many cancers. For the eye, one of these ailments is cataracts.
Free radicals are normally associated with the foods we eat. If we eat poor quality food more free radicals are produced. However they can also enter the body when it is over exposed to sunlight. With age more free radicals build up and cause more damage to the body. This explains why cataracts are often associated with older age. However their are other things that can increase the chances of cataracts developing in a person.
Exposure to sunlight, or rather the ultraviolet light in sunlight, creates free radicals that damage the lens. Thus the importance of good sunglasses can't be stressed enough, especially if you live in a climate that has plenty of days of sunlight. Or if you work outdoors.
Poor nutrition and/or poor digestion of the foods that are eaten. Poor quality foods can introduce all kinds of free radicals. Being unable to metabolize the foods also keeps free radicals in the system.
Smoking is another activity that can increase the risk of getting 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.
Whilst it is true that old age does increase the chances of developing cataracts, you can prevent this occurring if you follow some of the tips listed above.
Learn more about cataracts, like the major http://www.eyecareinsight.com/eye-care/causes-of-cataracts-18/) causes of cataracts and noticeable http://www.eyecareinsight.com/eye-care/symptoms-of-cataracts-17/) symptoms of cataracts at eyecareinsight.com.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article71406.html |
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