There is no natural treatment for cataracts. However, ongoing research into non-surgical cataract treatments is positive.
Cataracts occur when proteins in the lens begin to break down and clump together. This causes a cloudy area to appear on the lens. Light cannot easily pass through this area, resulting in blurred vision. Cataracts are the leading cause of visual impairment worldwide. In this article, we look at whether a person can reverse their cataract. We also describe surgical cataract treatments and non-surgical measures for cataract management and prevention, as well as the outlook for someone with cataract.
Can cataracts be reversed naturally?
There is currently no natural treatment for cataracts. The only way a person can remove them is through surgery. However, recent animal studies of natural cataract treatments show promise.
A 2017 study evaluated the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) eye drops in reversing cataract formation. NACA is an antioxidant, meaning a substance that can prevent or delay these types of cell damage. In the aforementioned 2017 study, researchers induced cataracts in rats before treating them with NACA-based eye drops.
The results of the study showed that NACA could reverse cataract grade. She concluded that NACA has the potential to significantly improve vision and decrease the burden of cataract-related vision loss.
In a 2022 study, researchers investigated whether an oxygen derivative of cholesterol would be an effective treatment for cataracts in mice. The researchers used oxysterol to try to alter the levels of alpha-crystallin B or alpha-crystallin A proteins present in the lenses of 26 mice. These proteins are often the cause of the appearance of cataracts during aging. The study showed that oxysterol improved lens opacity in 61% of cases. This is a promising sign that oxysterol could be an effective, non-surgical treatment for cataracts. Research on these treatments is still at a very early stage. Therefore, more research on these natural cataract treatments is needed to determine if they are effective in humans.
Cataract surgery
A doctor may suggest a person have surgery if their vision loss is affecting their ability to carry out daily activities. During cataract surgery, a surgeon will remove the cloudy lens from the person’s eye and replace it with an artificial lens. The person is usually awake during the operation but is given a light sedative to stay relaxed. The procedure usually takes about an hour and is almost entirely painless.
Types of surgical procedures
Eye health specialists may recommend treating cataracts with phacoemulsification, a modern cataract surgery technique that uses a type of laser. The laser creates a circular opening in the lens capsule to facilitate cataract removal. The same laser can modify the curvature of the clear cornea, if necessary, to eliminate almost all refractive errors and the need for glasses after the operation.
Operation steps
Cataract surgery often follows these steps:
The surgeon puts numbing drops on the person’s eye so that they don’t feel anything.
He uses small tools to incise the eye and break the lens.
He uses small instruments to enter the eye and open the lens capsule.
He then completely removes the contents of the lens from the eye.
Immediately after the operation, the person will need to rest in a quiet room for some time. The medical team will then make sure that the person has no eye problem and, if not, they can go home. A doctor will give the person eye drops to help the eye heal after the operation. The person may also be required to wear special eye protection or goggles for a short time after the operation to protect their eye.
Postoperative advice
The doctor often gives advice to protect the eye in the weeks following cataract surgery. These tips may consist of:
avoid touching the eye
avoid bending over
avoid lifting heavy objects
How to prevent cataracts
There is no natural way to prevent cataracts, but there are some steps a person can take to help prevent the onset of cataracts and slow its progression.
These measures include:
Protect eyes from the sun: People should wear sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block sunlight. This is important because sun exposure can increase the risk of developing cataracts.
Stop smoking, if applicable: Smoking is very bad for a person’s eyes. It can increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Eat a nutritious diet: People should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to reduce their risk of developing cataracts. They should consider eating green and dark leafy vegetables, such as:
spinach
kale
A person may also consider having a dilation eye exam.
Outlook
If a person has cataracts and does not receive treatment, it can lead to vision loss and even blindness. However, with treatment, the outlook is often very positive. In most cases, surgery can restore a person’s vision very effectively. Results depend on the person’s medical condition and the presence of other eye conditions, such as:
glaucoma
macular degeneration
diabetic retinopathy
Studies show that after an operation, 70-80% of people achieve a significant improvement in their vision. A person is more likely to see their vision improve after the operation if they strictly follow their doctor’s post-operative instructions and take the recommended medications after the operation. After the operation, people may also have a routine eye exam, which checks for new cataract development and any other eye problems that may be occurring.
Things that can affect a person’s outlook after cataract surgery include:
the presence of another systemic disease
the time between the development of the cataract and the surgery
the type of operation.
Summary
There is currently no natural treatment for cataracts. However, research is ongoing into the use of non-surgical treatments for this condition. Animal research on the use of NACA and oxysterol eye drops has both shown positive results. However, more research is needed to determine whether these less invasive treatments will be effective treatments for cataracts in humans. Surgery is a very effective treatment for cataracts, and most surgeries are successful. If a person does not have surgery to treat their cataracts, they can get worse and lead to vision loss.
