CATARACT - HOMOEOPATHY

HOMOEOPATHY FOR AVOIDING BLINDNESS IN OLD AGE.

BE EARLY TO DIAGNOSE CATARACT

                                                                                                               

A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye which leads to a decrease in vision. Cataracts occur when the eye's natural lens becomes cloudy, causing vision loss. It is the most common cause of blindness and is conventionally treated with surgery. Visual loss occurs because opacification of the lens obstructs light from passing and being focused on to the retina at the back of the eye.

The lens is a clear part of the eye that helps to focus light, or an image, on the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. In a normal eye, light passes through the transparent lens to the retina. Once it reaches the retina, light is changed into nerve signals that are sent to the brain.

It is most commonly due to biological aging, but there are a wide variety of other causes. They are most common in people over 40 and are the main cause of blindness worldwide, according to All About Vision. Over time, yellow-brown pigment is deposited within the lens and this, together with disruption of the normal architecture of the lens fibers, leads to reduced transmission of light, which in turn leads to visual problems. Those with cataracts commonly experience difficulty in appreciating colors and changes in contrast, driving, reading, recognizing faces, and coping with glare from bright lights. Most cataracts develop slowly and don't disturb eyesight early on. But with time, cataracts will eventually interfere with vision.

Types of Cataract

Most cataracts are related to aging, there are other types of cataract:

1. Secondary cataract. Cataracts can form after surgery for other eye problems, such as glaucoma. Cataracts also can develop in people who have other health problems, such as diabetes. Cataracts are sometimes linked to steroid use.

2. Traumatic cataract. Cataracts can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later.

3. Congenital cataract. Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. These cataracts may be so small that they do not affect vision. If they do, the lenses may need to be removed.

4. Radiation cataract. Cataracts can develop after exposure to some types of radiation.

Causes and Risk Factors

The lens lies behind the iris and the pupil. It works much like a camera lens. It focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye, where an image is recorded. The lens also adjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. The lens is made of mostly water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and let’s light pass through it.

But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract. Over time, the cataract may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see. Researchers suspect that there are several causes of cataract, such as smoking and diabetes. Or, it may be that the protein in the lens just changes from the wear and tear it takes over the years.

Age-related cataracts and its way of progress

The term "age-related" is a little misleading. You don't have to be a senior citizen to get this type of cataract. In fact, people can have an age-related cataract in their 40s and 50s. But during middle age, most cataracts are small and do not affect vision. It is after age 60 that most cataracts steal vision. Age-related cataracts can affect our vision in two ways:

1.      Clumps of protein reduce the sharpness of the image reaching the retina. The lens consists mostly of water and protein. When the protein clumps up, it clouds the lens and reduces the light that reaches the retina. The clouding may become severe enough to cause blurred vision. Most age-related cataracts develop from protein clumping. When a cataract is small, the cloudiness affects only a small part of the lens. we may not notice any changes in our vision. Cataracts tend to "grow" slowly, so vision gets worse gradually. Over time, the cloudy area in the lens may get larger, and the cataract may increase in size. Seeing may become more difficult, our vision may get duller or blurrier.

2.      The clear lens slowly changes to a yellowish/brownish color, adding a brownish tint to vision. As the clear lens slowly colors with age, your vision gradually may acquire a brownish shade. At first, the amount of tinting may be small and may not cause a vision problem. Over time, increased tinting may make it more difficult to read and perform other routine activities. This gradual change in the amount of tinting does not affect the sharpness of the image transmitted to the retina. If advanced lens discoloration process, we may not be able to identify blues and purples. You may be wearing what you believe to be a pair of black socks, only to find out from friends that you are wearing purple socks.

The risk of cataract increases as you get older. Other risk factors for cataract include:

·        Certain diseases such as diabetes.

·        Personal behavior such as smoking and alcohol use.

·        The environment such as prolonged exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet light, specifically UV-B, has been shown to cause cataracts and there is some evidence that sunglasses worn at an early age can slow its development in later life.

·        The presence of cataracts in childhood or early life can occasionally be due to a particular syndrome.

·        The skin and the lens have the same embryological origin and can be affected by similar diseases. Those with Atopic dermatitis and Eczema will occasionally develop shield ulcers cataracts. Ichthyosis is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with cuneiform cataracts and nuclear sclerosis. Basal-cell nevus and Pemphigus have similar associations.

·        Some drugs, such as corticosteroids, can induce cataract development.

Clinical Features

The most common symptoms of a cataract are:

·        Cloudy or blurry vision.

·        Colors seem faded.

·        Glare. Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright. A halo may appear

around lights.

·        Poor night vision.

·        Double vision or multiple images in one eye. (This symptom may clear as the

cataract gets larger.)

·        Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses.

·        These symptoms also can be a sign of other eye problems. If you have any of these symptoms, check with eye care professional early.

Management

Home Remedies

1.      Mix 1 cup of rose petals, 4 tbsp. of raspberry leaves in 4 cups of boiling water. Let the ingredients rest for 30 minutes, strain and use as eye wash.

2.      Mix one teaspoon of rosewater(gulabjal) with one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Add 10 drops of this to the eyes. This remedy provides benefit if cataract is in the starting stage.

3.      Use Eyebright herb in drops is excellent for cataracts, this plant can be use internally and is much more effective than commercial eye drops and safer.

4.      Eat spinach and take Lutein or spinach extract Contains carotenoid needed for retina and eye tissue sometimes reversing cataracts.

5.      Vitamin A is very necessary for a healthy vision.

6.      Dusty miller used to dissolve cataracts and corneal opacities, if used in the early stages of the disease.

7.      Take Ginkgo biloba increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the eye and it clears toxins.

8.      Eat lots of green vegetables, specially spinach, kale and berries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries and fruits rich in Vitamin C and E.

9.      Avoid dairy products and saturated fats these produce free radicals which              cause cataracts and damage to the lens.

10. Do not use any antihistamines if you have cataracts.

11. Bilberry Strengthens and protects veins and blood vessels, protects the retina, reduces pressure in glaucoma and can stop the growth of cataracts.

12. Soak some almond overnight. In the morning, peel them and chew slowly with a glass of warm milk. It cures every type of eye problem and strengthen the vision.

13. Consumption of Vitamin A in large quantity is always recommended to get rid of eye problems.Taking one or two glasses of fresh carrot juice is very beneficial in treating cataract.

14. Take 10gm of ginger juice, 10gm of lemon juice, 10 gm of white onion juice and 50gm honey. Mix them properly and store in a clean bottle. Remember not to add water. Put two two drops of this liquid in each eye everyday. The liquid may be preserved for one month in freeze. Do not use it if you have had any eye operation.

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Homoeopathy has holistic approach towards patient which means treating patient as a whole and not his specific disease or parts of body. While selecting constitutional medicine of patient his physical, emotional and general factors are considered. These make our life force called work in harmonious way, and help us to improve our immune power . A constitutional remedy chosen by an experienced prescriber is the most appropriate way to help a person with deep-seated or chronic conditions. Remedies below have been helpful in many cases of cataracts, and are mentioned here to introduce a few of the possibilities homeopathy can offer, not as suggestions for self-care.

Homeopathic opthamologist, doctor Ed Kondrot, M.D. discusses the first article written about using homeopathy for cataracts. It was published in 1891 by A. B. Norton. The study examined 295 cataract patients, of which 100 were treated with homeopathic medicine for more than a three-month period. Improvement was found in in 58 percent of the participants.

Cineraria maritima: Cineraria acts as a safe lymphagogue, increasing circulation in the intraocular tissues, also stimulating collateral circulation and normal metabolism.

Euphrasia (Eyebright): Is the most widely used natural ingredient for the eye and is often referred to as a “tonic for the eyes.” It is indicated for cataract with watery eyes, opacities of the cornea after injury, pain in the eye, dryness, redness and edema, itching and/or burning of the eyes and lids.

Calcarea carbonica: This remedy may be indicated when a person developing cataracts has the feeling of looking through a mist. A person needing this remedy tends to be a responsible type, but feels overwhelmed when under stress and fears breakdown or disease. Chilliness, swollen glands, weight problems, and easy tiring from exertion are other indications for Calcarea carbonica.

Calcarea fluorica: This remedy is often indicated when tissues harden or thicken abnormally. A person needing this remedy may also have a tendency toward hard swollen lymph nodes, joint pains, fibrous growths, or bone-spurs. The person generally feels worse during weather changes and improved by warmth.

Causticum: This remedy has been helpful in some cases when the person developing cataracts also had problems moving the eyes, as if the muscles around the eyeballs were stiff or weak especially after getting cold in the wind or open air. The person may have a feeling of sand in the eyes. A person who needs this remedy may tend to have muscular stiffness in many body areas. They are generally worse from cold and improved by warmth, and often feel best in damp or rainy weather.

Natrum muriaticum: This remedy may be indicated when cataracts begin to develop. The muscles around the eyes can feel bruised and weak, especially when the person looks down. The person may have a feeling of gauze across the eyes, and parts of the field of vision may be hard to focus on. A person who needs this remedy usually craves salt, feels worse from being in the sun, and has deep emotions yet appears to be

reserved.

Phosphorus: People who need this remedy may have a feeling that dust or mist in the eyes is obscuring vision, or may experience soreness that feels like eyestrain after very little use. They sometimes see little bright dots of colored light when the eyes are closed. People who need this remedy are usually sympathetic and fond of company, but can tire easily. An active imagination (including many fears) and a strong desire for cold drinks and refreshing things are other indications for Phosphorus.

Silicea (also called Silica): This remedy has been helpful to some individuals who developed cataracts after extended periods of eyestrain, or after perspiration of the feet had been suppressed. People needing this remedy tend to be chilly (although they often sweat at night) and often have low resistance to infection. Fine hair, weak nails, easy tiredness, and swollen lymph nodes are other signs suggesting Silicea.

Sepia may be indicated if the patient complains of the sensation of weakness in the eyes and the symptoms worsen as evening approaches. The eyelids may twitch and there may be sharp pains. People needing Sepia may feel better during daytime hours and when eating.

Cataract Eye Drops with Cineraria

Cineraria maratima, or dusty miller, is a common herb whose juice is known to dissolve cataracts. India's Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has noted that Cineraria tincture can prevent cataracts from developing. Additionally, homeopathic doctor William Boericke, M.D. notes in his Materia Medica with Repertory that Cineraria tincture may reverse existing cataracts. To obtain the full effects of this herb, the mother tincture must be used diluted in saline water. Commercial products are not effective.

Homeopathic drops trigger the transfer of oxygen and nutrients from the blood to the aqueous to nourish and detoxify the living tissue of the crystalline lens. Cineraria maritima has been used homeopathically for over one hundred years to safely and effectively treat cataract. There are no blood vessels to the crystalline lens and the lens is comprised of living cells which need oxygen, nutrition, detoxification and anti-oxidation.