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Hello! I’m Peter. My grandfather is already developing signs of cataract in his eyes. What are the effects of cataract in his vision?

Peter_Jenkins (Male, 42)

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Catrina B. Cosio RND

Hi Peter! A cataract is the opacity of the eye’s lens which causes a progress yet painless loss of vision. This is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. The development of cataracts usually have no apparent cause but may result from eye injury, long exposure to drugs, x-ray exposure of the eyes, eye inflammation or diseases or complications brought about by diabetes.

People with dark eyes are more common to have cataracts due to long sun exposure, people suffering from poor nutrition and smokers.

Blurred vision is usually the first sign of cataract. Double vision, glares and halos are early symptoms. Cataract can change vision depending on the light’s intensity that enters the eye and on the cataract’s location. The detection of cataract can be done though eye examination with the use of ophthalmoscope.

There are also preventive ways against having cataracts by using UV sunglasses preventing the eyes against bright sunlight. Stop smoking. Diabetic patients must continuously consult their doctor to monitor and control the blood sugar level. Consumption of foods high in Vitamin C and A also protects the eyes from developing cataracts.

As for the treatment of cataracts, it depends on how impaired the patient’s vision is. The use of eyeglasses or contact lenses can improve one’s vision. Only through surgery can cure and treatment of cataracts be provided. No medications such as eye drops or oral medicines can remove cataracts completely.

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Roel S. Cloma RN

Cataract is a common cause of vision loss; a cataract is the gradual developing opacity of the lens or lens capsule of the eye. The lens is usually contained in a sealed bag of capsule. As the old cells die, they become trapped within the capsule. Over time the cells accumulate, causing the lens to cloud. Cataracts are commonly bilateral with each progressing independently. Exceptions are traumatic cataracts which are most prevalent in patients over age 70. Prognosis is usually good and surgery improves vision in 95 % of the cases.

Cataracts are caused by the following conditions:

-Senile cataracts developed in elderly people, probably because of the changes in the chemical state of the lens proteins.

-Complicated cataracts occur secondary to uveitis, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, or detached retina. They may also occur in the course of systemic disease such as diabetes, hypoparathyroidism or atopic dermatitis, or can result from ionizing radiation or infrared rays.

-Toxic cataracts result from drug or chemical toxicity with ergot, dinitrophenol, naphtane, phenothiazine and in patients with galasctosemia from galactose.

-Age related cataracts can affect your vision in two ways: first, clumps of protein reduce the sharpness of the image that reaches the retina: if this happens these cloud the lens and reduce the light that reaches the retina. The clouding may become severe enough to cause blurring of vision. The second effect of cataract in your vision is that the clear lens slowly changes to a yellow or brownish color, adding a brownish tint to the vision.

Eileen z. Basco RN

Hi there!

Cataract develops because of alterations of metabolism and transport of nutrients within the lens. Although the most common form of cataract is degenerative, cataracts also may occur congenitally as a result of infection, radiation, trauma, drugs or diabetes mellitus. Cataracts caused decreased visual acuity, blurred vision, glare, and decreased perception. color

Eileen z. Basco RN

Joan M. Victoriano OD/RN

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens that lies behind the iris and the pupil. The lens adjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly both near and far distances. The nerve cells of the retina detect light entering the eye and send nerve signals to the brain about what the eye sees. There is visual problem because cataracts block this light from passing thru.

As people age, some of the protein can clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens, this is a cataract. As time passes by, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.

Effect of cataract:

* Distortion of vision such as haziness, cloudiness, and diplopia (double vision)
* Photophobia (light sensitivity) that makes light from the sun or lamp seem too bright or glaring
* Progressive loss of vision
* Black pupil appears clouded, progressing to milky appearance
* When they drive at night the oncoming headlights will cause more glare than before
* Colors may not appear as bright as they once did
* If left untreated, can lead to blindness

Cary M. Silverman MD

For many, the formation of cataracts is a natural part of the aging process, causing the eye's natural lens to cloud and distort vision. The lens is held inside a capsule, and is made of mostly protein fibers and water arranged precisely so as to permit light to pass through without interference. Over time, these fibers begin to break down and cluster together, clouding the lens. As more fibers break down, the clouding becomes denser and covers a greater area of the lens. Cataract surgery becomes necessary to restore clear vision.

During phacoemulsification, the ophthalmologist removes the cataract but leaves the capsule mostly intact. To begin, a small incision is made where the cornea and the conjunctiva (a thin membrane covering the outer surface of the eye) meet. Next, a small probe – roughly the width of a needle – is inserted and emits ultrasound waves to emulsify the cataract and remove the lens fragments. A lens implant is then placed within the capsule.

5min Life Videopedia

Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum

Nerve Pain

BACKGROUND

Nerve pain (neuropathy) is characterized by pain that is burning, shooting (often to distant areas), or stabbing. It also has an “electric” quality about it. Tingling or numbness (paresthesias) and increased sensitivity with normal touch being painful (allodynia) are also commonly seen.

Nerve pain can be triggered by malfunction of nerves associated with illness (e.g., diabetes, low thyroid, etc.), infections (e.g., shingles), pinched nerves (e.g., from muscles or disc disease), nutritional deficiencies (e.g., vitamin B6 and B12), injury (e.g., stroke, tumors, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis), fibromyalgia, and medication/treatment side effects.

TREATMENT

Recommended Supplements

Multi-nutrient powder

Nutritional support is critical! Use a good multi-nutrient powder along with a B complex capsule. This (along with the lipoic acid below) may take 6 months to kick in (but may begin working after a few weeks) — so start now.

Lipoic acid

Lipoic acid 300 mg 2 times a day.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Acetyl-L-Carnitine 1,000-3,000 mg a day (the studies used the higher dose but the lower dose may be enough). This has been studied in nerve pain from diabetes and also from cancer chemotherapy.

Vitamin D

Add vitamin D 2,000+ units a day. In one study, this decreased diabetes nerve pain by 47%.

Other Therapies & Advice

Do a blood test

Do blood testing to check for diabetes, low thyroid, or vitamin B12 deficiency (I give B12 injections if the B12 level is under 540 in nerve pain).

Medications

Lidoderm patches and topical gels

Many medications can be very helpful for nerve pain. For small areas, begin with the Lidoderm patch and topical gels. For large areas, or if these are not effective, use the oral medications.

Give the medicines and topical medications 2 weeks to work. If the medications cause side effects, start at a lower dose that is comfortable and raise it slowly as your body adapts. Give the natural remedies 3-6 months to work (they are going in to heal the nerve which takes time) though they often help much more quickly.

Topical pain gels (from compounding pharmacies; Your physician can call in the “Nerve Pain Lotion” to ITC Pharmacy at 888-349-5453 and they can mail it to you) are very helpful and, along with certain special medications, can be very helpful for nerve pain (apply twice a day and give them 2 weeks to work). If you suffer from nerve pain, read the nerve pain chapter in the book Pain Free 1-2-3.

Related Information

Neuropathic Pain (summary of chapter in book, Pain Free 1-2-3)

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Clinical Trials

Clinical trials within 150 miles of ASHBURN, VIRGINIA.

COACH - Community Outreach And Cardiovascular Health

Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing - Baltimore, Maryland

BLSA: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

NIA Clinical Research Unit at Harbor Hospital - Baltimore, Maryland

The Efficacy of Insulin Degludec/Liraglutide in Controlling Glycaemia in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on GLP-1 Receptor Agonist and Metformin Therapy

Novo Nordisk Clinical Trial Call Center - Richmond, Virginia

Go Fish: Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Diabetes-Related Kidney Disease

Johns Hopkins ProHealth, 1849 Gwynn Oak Ave - Baltimore, Maryland

National Children's Health Study

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), 9000 Rockville - Bethesda, Maryland

FDA Approved Drugs

FDA approved drugs for the treatment of Pain

acetaminophen (generic)

A-Pak Laboratories Paediatric Analgesic Paracetamol


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