Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Cataracts and Ultraviolet Radiation


The greatest risk factor that we face when it comes to developing cataracts is one that we can’t avoid - getting older. Over time, as we age, the proteins that make up the lens in our eyes are slowly damaged. The older we get, the more the damage accumulates and the more at risk we become of developing senile cataracts. But there are other risk factors that we can do something about and one of these is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
UV radiation is part of our everyday lives because sunlight is made up from both UVA and UVB radiation. Both of these forms of ultraviolet radiation have destructive properties that can promote the formation and growth of cataracts.

UVB radiation primarily affects the outer skin layers. Many of us are aware of the damaging nature of this type of UV radiation because it is the primary cause of sunburn. But what you may not know is that long-term exposure to even low levels of UVB radiation can be particularly damaging to your eyes. It is this type of UV radiation that appears to be responsible for a condition called macular degeneration (an aging disorder of the retina that is the most common cause of blindness in the Western world). UVB radiation is also the form of UV radiation primarily responsible for the formation of cataracts. Long-term exposure to UVB radiation eventually results in alterations to the lens, including pigment changes, which are known to contribute to cataract development.

UVA radiation, on the other hand, is composed of longer wavelengths than UVB radiation. As a result UVA radiation penetrates much more deeply into the inner skin layers than UVB radiation and is responsible for tanning. UVA radiation also promotes the release of damaging oxidants (also known as free radicals) and the effects of oxidants are known to be implicated in the formation of cataracts.
The shape of our faces - the way in which our eyes are set back and surrounded by eyelids, brows, cheekbones and the nose - helps to protect our eyes from exposure to sunlight. But long term exposure which obviously increases with age can defeat our natural eye defences.

Sensible measures like wearing wide brimmed hats and protective sunglasses can help to eliminate some of the dangers of such exposure - although sun avoidance should never be taken to extremes as our bodies need the Vitamin D that we get from sun exposure in order to keep our bones healthy.

We can also help to boost our natural defences by using can c eye drops. If senile cataract has already developed then these amazingly effective cataract eye drops with their unique N-acetylcarnosine formula are able to gradually and gently dissolve away the cataracts. But they can also be used as a preventative measure - to help keep your eyes as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

Resources - Cataracts and Ultraviolet Radiation

1 comment:

  1. Since getting (and always wearing outdoors) glasses with photochromic lenses a couple of years ago, the minor cataract in my left eye is very gradually improving. The horizontal blurring has almost disappeared, and there has been a minor but noticeable improvement in the contrast ratio. I'm very surprized at this, that was something I never expected. I am 69 years old.
    Does anyone know any more about this?
    F, Leeds, UK.

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