About eye cataracts
Cataracts develop when the lens, the transparent membrane that allows light to enter the eye, yellows, hindering the passage of light rays through it. Vision becomes hazy, cloudy, or blurry; if untreated, the lens may become completely opaque, resulting in blindness. Although aging is the most common cause of cataracts, they can occur at any time of life, even in infancy. Smoking and diabetes can hasten their development. But a diet that provides ample antioxidants—in particular, vitamins C and E and the carotenoid lutein—appears to slow their progressiorf. Ar least one study has shown thar the prevalence of cataracts in people who took vitamin C supplements for at least 10 years was significantly lower. Vitamins C and E work with antioxidants to ward off free- radical damage. Macular degeneration, another eye disease that comes with aging, is one of the most common causes of legal blindness among older North Americans. It entails a gradual, painless deterioration of the macula, the tissue in the central portion of the retina. The first symptom is usually blurring of central vision but eventually side vision can also become limited. The cause of macular degeneration is unknown, but recent research suggests that a diet high in antioxidant nutrients may help prevent or slow the disorder. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two antioxidants that may help. These two carotenoids are the dominant pigments found in the macula of the eye and are thought to help filter out some of the harmful light that can damage the retina. Lutein is found in green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale, Swiss chard, and watercress, as. well as in corn, peas, and egg yolks. Zeaxanthin is also found in greens, red peppers, and corn. One clinical trial involved more than 3,500 people aged 55 to 80 who already had at least one symptom of age-related macular degeneration. Some were treated with zinc alone, some took the antioxidant vitamins E, C, and beta carotene, some took that mixture plus zinc. Those who took the antioxidants plus zinc had the owest risk of developing advanced stages of macular degeneration.
