Cataracts, as we have learned, are when a film forms over your eye, making your eye sight clouded. This can lead to individuals being completely unable to see, if left untreated. The good news is that this eye issue is almost always treatable, leaving a person able to see again after only a minor procedure. However, the bad news is that it is more than likely linked to a larger medical issue. Here are three medical ailments that can cause or involve cataracts.
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Cataracts and Diabetes
It has always been known that diabetes and cataracts are closely related. Patients with both type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are very prone to it and prone to the ailment reoccurring on a regular basis, if both their eyes and diabetes remain unchecked. This relationship is a perfect example of how the entire body works together as a machine, and when one piece of the machine breaks down, it can cause the rest of the machine to slowly deteriorate. In this case, blood sugar levels is directly related to the nutrients needed to keep the eyes working properly. When the levels are too high or too low and the necessary fluids are not properly processed, the eyes form them. In the case of diabetes, cataracts may be a symptom that you either have diabetes or something has gone wrong with your treatment. In addition to speaking with your eye doctor, it is important to see a doctor to check your blood sugar levels and run appropriate tests to help get your diabetes under control and your eyes back to working properly.
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Cancer and Cataracts
Cataracts and cancer have a long history together. There are two ways in which the two c’s can be connected. First, early onset of the ailment can be an indicator that a person may have or be at risk for cancer. Considering cataracts is linked to insufficient or low antioxidant activity, this indicates that the body is not armed well to fight ailments, such as cancer.
The second way in which cataracts and cancer is linked is as a side effect to the cancer treatments. Anyone who has every undergone chemotherapy and/or radiation will tell you that the treatment makes your body week and vulnerable to anything the outside world has to offer that could attack your body. Again, this is directly related to the decrease in antioxidant activity caused by the treatment. If you have had cancer or have early onset of cataracts, you may want to speak with an oncologist as well as your eye doctor to help get your eye sight and your body back to a healthy place.
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Cataracts and Alcohol
Alcohol in moderation is often good for your health. However, alcoholics will see the ugly side of alcohol and the effects it has on the body every time they turn their head. One of many issues associated with alcoholism is cataracts. Excessive drinking robs your body of antioxidants and other essential vitamins, while pumping your body full of sugar. As a result, the entire body suffers, including your eyes. Since the ailment forms when the body is not properly processing sugars or producing the proper antioxidants, they alcoholics become an easy target for the ailment. If you are an alcoholic and experiencing cataracts, it is best to talk with your eye doctor and your family doctor about how to safely eliminate alcohol from your diet to prevent this type of ailment to reoccur.
If you are dealing with cataracts, contact the experts at Rittenhouse Eye Associates at 215.525.6821 to help you remove the cataracts and learn how to prevent them from coming back.
