Cataract is a darkening of the lens in the eye leading to a decrease in vision. It may be either congenital or senile disease. The condition affects both eyes, but in most cases the one eye is affected earlier than the other.
Researchers studied a substance called lanosterol on dogs and found that it affects the lens opacity. So these results provide great hope that in the future cataract will be treated with eye drops without surgery.
The researchers found in two families with hereditary cataracts, the presence of an abnormal form of the substance lanosterol. Lanosterol is a substance that protects our eyes from the development of senile cataract. The researchers then studied the effects of lanosterol on dogs suffering from cataract.
Lens’ opacity started to disappear gradually after 6 months of treatment with lanosterol. Although the research is at an early stage, it gives hope to millions of people suffering from cataract.
Besides environmental factors, lifestyle and heredity, the researchers believe that the other main reason for this eye disease is exposure to ultraviolet sunlight and everyday stress.
To protect naturally from this insidious disease should eat more spinach and other dark green vegetables which are rich in antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These two components reduce the harmful effects of ulraviolet radiation up to 50%.