Is There any Treatment for Cataracts

QUESTION: It seems pretty clear to me that the newspaper print isn't as clear
to me as it was only a few months ago. My doctor tells me that it is a
cataract developing. What is unclear to me is the possibility of taking some
kind of medicine to stop the progress of this unwanted problem. Can I take
medicine or do anything to stop cataracts?
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ANSWER: I don't think medical science is yet at the point where an outright
recommendation of medications to delay or prevent cataracts can be made. Much
research is being done in this area but there are no sure answers. Studies
with aspirin show it cuts the risk of cataract. The theory is it lowers
blood-sugar levels thought to predispose people to the disease. Also,
researchers noticed the eye has up to 30 times more vitamin C than the blood.
Experiments with vitamin C eye drops and diets in rats point to a slowing of
cataract formation. No one knows how much vitamin C or aspirin will combat
cataracts in humans so don't start overdosing and having side effect problems.
Vitamin E is also mentioned by some authors.
Probably the best way we know of right now to slow cataract growth is to
protect your eyes from overexposure to the sun. People who are in intense sun
for long periods of time with no eye protection seem to develop cataracts more
frequently. Wear sunglasses that are marked as UV-A blockers or have your
optometrist make up prescription UV blockers.
But you don't have to wait for surgery to improve your vision.
Frequently a change in your eyeglass prescription may be sufficient to give
you better vision now. Increasing the intensity of the light on your reading
material may also help.
The good news is that when you do finally need surgery to correct your
problem, your results should be fine. Cataract surgery is one of the safest
operations performed today, and new techniques offer the patient hope for
markedly improved sight.