Cataracts and Macular Degeneration

Cataract Definition

If the lens is cloudy from a cataract, the image is blurred. Color perception and sharpness of vision are also affected. It is the most common cause of vision loss that is age related. However, it is very easily treated with cataract surgery.

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is the loss of our straight ahead or central vision, making it difficult to read, recognize faces or to drive. It is the most common cause of legal blindness in the U.S. As people age it becomes more common.

What is Oxidation?

Oxidation is the result of free radicals causing damage to our cells which then leads to many age related diseases and degenerative diseases like macular degeneration.

According to Dr. Michael and Marc Rose, authors of Save Your Sight! : Natural Ways to Prevent and Reverse Macular Degeneration , "An imbalance between free radicals created by oxidation reactions and the antioxidants that neutralize them is one of the common threads of cause and effect this is woven through all the major eye diseases and nearly all of the disabilities and diseases we associate with aging."

The eye is especially vulnerable to oxidation because it is constantly being exposed to ultra-violet and blue light. This damage due to exposure to ultraviolet light is cumulative - meaning that days and years of the eyes being exposed to sunlight results in conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration.

To learn more about cataract symptoms, types of cataracts and what you can do to reduce your risk or delay the onset of cataracts click here:

Eye Cataracts

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Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

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