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Cataracts in both eyes
My husband has recently been diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes and although he is 65 now, he is still working and driving. The optician has said come back in a year but is the outlook really that bleak for him? Is there anything he can do?
Cataracts, which are the most common cause of eye problems in people over 65, are an opaque build-up of damaged protein in the lens of the eye. Prevention is clearly better than a surgical cure which may be painless but which cannot restore completely normal vision and vitamin C is believed to play an important role.
In a study of over 50,000 nurses who were monitored for eight years, researchers found that those who had taken vitamin C for 10 years had a 45% lower risk of developing cataracts. The daily dose to take for prevention is 500mg alongside 500ius of vitamin E which has also been linked with a reduced risk.
There is nothing that will reverse existing damage to the lens but two plant chemicals, lutein (found in dark green vegetables such as spinach) and zeaxanthin, which is found in marigolds, can prevent further damage. For a therapeutic dosage of both agents, your husband can take Springfield’s Macuvite which costs £17.99 for 30 capsules and is available from the Nutricentre (0800-587 2290) if you have difficulty sourcing it.
*Do not take vitamin E if you are already taking blood-thinning medication