Other forms of cataract are caused by orthodox methods of treating eye disorders. The use of pilocarpine drops for glaucoma causes cataract, which has been known for many years. Evidence now shows that if the nutritional status is low, excessive sun bathing can also increase the risk of cataract, even when wearing sunglasses. This can also happen when ultraviolet rays are reflected from surrounding objects, such as road surfaces, buildings, sand, water, even when you are in the shade.

The modern use of laser beams for different eye disorders is another hazard, which can cause changes in the lens cells and precipitate cataract. I have seen some cases where laser beams have caused not only cataract but also other serious damage, rendering the eye virtually useless.

At the onset of cataract the protein cells of the lens begin to change, a change that takes place gradually. The visual acuity is slightly affected because the lens proteins are changing, which when completed is irreversible. At this point, the lens is less than crystal clear, but the patient would not really notice a reduction in visual acuity unless he were to take a careful eye examination and visual acuity test.

As the change in protein cells progresses, the cells continue to become less clear. If the nutritional status is raised before this cycle is complete, all the cells in the process of changing can be reversed and their transparency restored. But if some cells have completed this cycle, they become opaque and cannot be restored to normal, although any adjacent cells that have not yet completed the cycle can be.

Frequently, if a cataract has been developing for some time when nutritional therapy commences, visual acuity can often be improved as a result of the restoration of the partially changed cells. If the patient maintains his nutritional status, the cataract won't develop further and surgery can be avoided or at least delayed for many years.

The responsibility to notify the patient immediately as soon as lens change is first discovered rests squarely on the practitioner, so that the patient has the opportunity of seeking help from a nutritionist. The prejudice with which most eye doctors view nutritional therapy robs the patient of the opportunity of obtaining help, so that he is finally obliged to accept the surgeon's knife as the only solution. Vision after surgery is never as good as before the cataract developed, and not every cataract operation is successful.

After surgery for removing the crystalline lens, thick lenses, contact lenses or an implant needs to be worn. None of these is a very satisfactory solution. Thick lenses severely curtail sight, whereas contact lenses can cause corneal ulceration and implants, glaucoma and well as other sight threatening complications. Even when cataract surgery is successful, there are inherent risks from the use of implants, besides glaucoma,such as intra ocular inflammation or damage to the vitreous during surgery causing retinal detachment.

When you are having your eyes examined, always ask your doctor whether cataract has commenced or there are any signs that it might develop. If he doesn't answer your questions satisfactorily, be insistent. If a cataract has started to develop, instead of waiting for it to be "ripe" enough for surgery, seek ophthalmic nutritional therapy at once since more help can be given in the early stages.

The first thing to do is to stop smoking, abstain from alcohol and ensure that your diet contains at least 70 grams of protein per day. If you have been prescribed drugs for any condition, find out if they are likely to cause cataract. If so, ask your GP to change the drug. Cortisone and other steroids are common culprits.