Decreasing eyesight, sensitivity to bright light, feeling like you're seeing through fog or dirty glasses, perhaps these are the signs of an incipient cataract... While waiting for your appointment with an ophthalmologist, here are some explanations and tips to limit the progression of this vision disorder.

Définition, origine et traitement de la cataracte  

Cataract is the progressive opacification of all or part of the crystalline which is accompanied by adecrease in visual acuity could go as far as the blindness. The only treatment is extraction of the crystalline and then replacement with an artificial implant.

Many mechanisms are involved in the development of cataract including oxidative damage, protein aggregation, glutathione degradation, damage to fiber cell membranes, protein degradation, elevated calcium, abnormal migration of epithelial cells from the crystalline or, alternatively, aberrant changes in the fiber cell.

Despite having the lowest oxygen concentration in the crystalline than anywhere else in the body, free radicals remain plentiful.

To recognize a cataract, the symptoms are:

• the decrease in visual acuity remarkable over a one-year period.

• a sensitivity to glare.

• a alteration of color vision.

• a veiled view

Les facteurs de risque

Age is the leading cause of opacification of the lens. In addition to this, exposure and sunlight too bright, radiation exposure, various traumas and ocular pathologies, smoking, alcohol, diabetes , corticosteroids, diet low in antioxidants, lack of physical activity, poor oxygenation, stress... In sum, an "oxidizing" lifestyle would participate in the development of cataracts.

La vitamine C, un puissant antioxydant

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid protects the lens from oxidative damage. It is present in the aqueous humor of the eye at a concentration 30 to 50 times greater than in the bloodstream.

Vitamin Cintervenes in collagen formation and plays a major role in protecting the lens from photochemical oxidation. It feeds the membrane that regulates nutrient and ion transport in the crystalline.

Stress, smoking, hormone treatments, pollution are big consumers of vitamin C. Food is sufficient to cover the needs of a healthy person who follows a healthy lifestyle with a diet rich in quality fruits and vegetables.

Studies have shown that the higher the consumption of vitamin C, the lower the risk of developing a cataract.

The recommended dose would be: 300 to 500 mg of vitamin C per day.

La vitamine E protège contre les radicaux libres. 

Another antioxidant vitamin is vitamin E. It is often added in cosmetics as a preservative. Indeed, it avoids oxidation and therefore extends the life of the products.

Here, in the case of cataract, it has been observed that low plasma levels of vitamin E increase the risk of lens opacification and higher consumption of the same vitamin has protective effects.

The vitamin E decreases oxidative stress in cataract affected lens.

The dose of vitamin E per day would be 400 IU of alpha-tocopherol per day.

Caroténoïdes et vitamine A

After analysis of crystalline cataract affected, we find vitamin A, E and two carotenoids: lutein and zeaxanthin. It turns out that people with high concentrations of these two carotenoids and vitamin A in their crystalline were less likely to have cataract surgery than those who consumed less.

This is because of the very powerful antioxidantt power of lutein and zeaxanthin. They protect lens cells from UV light, free radical damage and oxidative stress.

The dose would be 10 mg of lutein and 5 mg of zeaxanthin per day.

Vitamine B2 et cataracte

Glutathione levels decrease with age. This molecule acts as a protector by preserving the clarity of the crystalline. Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is a precursor to flavin, a coenzyme of glutathione. Thus, supplementation with vitamin B2 coupled with other vitamins helps maintain glutathione activity and thus, reduces the risk of cataracts and other eye diseases.

Pour conclure

To prevent cataracts, it is recommended to adopt an antioxidant lifestyle as early as possible. As soon as the first signs of opacification appear, vitamins A, B2, C, and E will limit the degeneration of the lens.