Eye Care | Health Articles

Cataracts are the leading cause of decreased vision in adults older than 65 and is the most common surgical procedure for elderly people. But you can get an "age-related" cataract when you're in your 40s or 50s, although most likely it will be small and not rob you of your vision. Only 15 percent of people are affected with cataracts by age 55, but this figure jumps to 50 percent by age 75, and 90 percent by age 85. It's important to note, however, that cataracts worsen over time … so it's never too late-or early-to try to prevent them and/or treat them!

What is a cataract?

A cataract is an opaque spot on the lens of the eye that you can't see through. The lens lies behind the iris and the pupil, and works 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, which allows you to see things clearly, up close, and far away.

The lens is made of mostly water and protein. 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.

The haze can vary in size, density, and location, which means its effect on your vision, will also vary. At first, many people experience an overall reduction in their vision; they may need more light to read by, or may have difficulty reading street signs while driving. A cataract can also affect depth perception, which is particularly dangerous for the elderly who are more prone to falling.

Common Symptoms of Cataracts include:

Cloudy, fuzzy, foggy, or filmy vision.
Changes in the way you see colours.
Problems driving at night because headlights seem too bright.
Problems with glare from lamps or the sun.
Frequent changes in your eyeglass prescription.
Double vision.
Better near vision (temporarily in farsighted people only).

Note: These symptoms also can be signs of other eye problems

What causes cataracts?

Free radicals-natural by products of metabolism-are highly reactive chemicals that cause oxidation, which in turn causes aging.

Physical injury to the vertebrae or neck, or any stress which reduces eye movement and increases muscle tension.

Toxins, pharmaceutical drugs, and smoking.

Diabetes (high levels of sugar in the blood contribute to cataract formation, so it's not surprising that diabetics are 3-4 times more likely to have cataracts).

The protein in the lens changes from the wear and tear it takes over the years, and hardens and loses its ability to focus.

What can help prevent and treat cataracts?

N-acetyl-carnosine eye drops have been proven a most effective treatment. N-acetyl-L-carnosine eye drops have been shown to delay vision senescence in humans, being effective in 100% of cases of primary senile cataract and 80% of cases of mature senile cataract (Wang et al. 2000). N-acetyl-L-carnosine eye drops are able to enter both the aqueous and lipid parts of the eye, and they have been shown to prevent and repair light-induced DNA strand breaks in the eye. In Russia, N-acetyl-L-carnosine eye drops are approved in humans for the treatment of many eye diseases. Ethos Bright Eyes is an advanced eye formula that contains 1% N-acetyl-L-carnosine in a soothing eye drop.

This revolutionary new treatment for cataracts has been gaining in popularity here in Europe since it was featured over in the UK on the Richard & Judy Television Show last year with amazing results. Ethos GmbH Schweiz, the Swiss manufacturers, claim 'This could mean an end to cataract surgery'. This treatment uses a special derivative of the naturally occurring neuropeptide L-Carnosine, called N-Acetyl-Carnosine (NAC), which is a super antioxidant and anti-glycating agent. NAC, when topically applied, can
penetrate and protect the lipid tissues of the eye against light damage and also helps to diminish free radical damage and the harmful effects of glycosylation associated with degenerative eye disease.

Cataract is a major problem globally; 17 million people around the world are blind because of cataracts and 28,000 new cases are reported every day. Approximately 25% of the population over 65 (and about 50% over 80) have a serious loss of vision due to cataracts. At any one time in the UK alone there are over 500,000 people awaiting cataract surgery and the figures for the rest of Europe are frightening. One leading London Hospital over in the UK carries out between 250 and 500 cataract operations a
week! The backlog is proving to be such a big problem for them that now, Cataract Units are being drafted in from abroad to help to address their very worrying situation.

Professor Steven Charles Gallant, the world renowned biochemist who was originally responsible for introducing Bright Eyes to Europe says; "I have been studying the effects of L-Carnosine for many years. It was first discovered back in 1988 that N-Acetyl-Carnosine had positive effects on cataracts. My father had cataracts and did not relish going under the knife so I tried to get some for him but unfortunately, at the time, it wasn't easily obtainable. My father had to have the operation, which thankfully was
successful. But that got me to thinking how great it would be if we were to develop, and make readily available, a product whereby this condition could be addressed with a simple course of eye drops as opposed to invasive surgery. After many years' research, development and trials of Bright Eyes, many people are now enjoying much-improved vision due to this exciting medical breakthrough."

One of the clinical trials carried out in China, on 96 patients with cataracts of varying degrees of severity, showed a profound effect; with the effective rate being 100% on primary senile cataract and 80% for mature senile cataract over the 6 month trial period. Positive effects were also observed with other types of cataract. Another trial indicated an eye condition improvement of 41.5% to 100% for patients within a 6-month period, with sustainable results 24-months later.

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