Cataracts
What can I do about cataracts?
Cataracts: Alternative Treatments Edward C. Kondrot, MD (H),
CCH, DHt
What causes cataracts?
Are there any effective alternative treatments?
Can homeopathy help in reducing cataracts after they develop?
As an ophthalmologist and homeopath, I would like to share
with you my experiences.
Normal Anatomy of the Human lens.
The human lens is located behind
the pupil or colored part of the eye. It is a shaped like a
small magnifying lens and is about ? inch in diameter. If you
begin on the surface of the eye and travel inward you would pass
through the following structures before reaching the lens: the
cornea, which is the clear window and the outermost layer of
the eye; the second structure is the clear fluid or aqueous humor
in front of the iris. The accumulation of aqueous humor produces
an elevation of pressure or glaucoma. The third structure that
we pass is the iris or colored part of the eye. The iris is a
diaphragm and it regulates the amount of light entering the eye.
The fourth structure which is directly behind the iris is the
lens. It is held in position by fibrous bands called zonules.
It focuses images and light onto the retina much like a lens
of a camera. The focused rays of light hit the retina and an
image is transmitted to the brain. The human lens works to change
the focus from distant objects to close ones. When you reach
your early 40's, changes take place in the lens which make
focusing more difficult. This is called presbyopia.
Cataracts: What are they?
The term "cataract" was
introduced by Constantinus Africanus (AD 1018), a monk and an
Arabic oculist. He translated Arabic "suffusion" into
Latin "cataracta," meaning "something
poured underneath something," the "waterfall." .
It was felt that the clouding of vision was do to a film falling
like water over the eye. Cataracts are not a film but are a
clouding, hardness and loss of elasticity which occur in the
human lens. Cataracts are associated with general arteriosclerotic
changes, diabetes, sun exposure, trauma and poor nutrition.
It is a fact of life that the longer you live the greater your
likelihood of developing a cataract. Over 50% of people over
the age of 60 will develop cataracts.
Cataracts: What is the cause?
As a person ages changes in
the protein of the lens develop. Oxidative reactions develop
which form abnormal disulfide and other covalent linkages.
This causes the lens fibers to lose their transparency.
Penetrating trauma from injury or ocular surgery usually
results in rapidly progressive cataract, with lens fiber
swelling, fragmentation, and opacification. Concussive injury
can infrequently cause a rupture of the lens capsule with
the development of a cataract or more commonly a contusion
cataract forms in the anterior or posterior cortex.. These
traumatic cataracts may be transitory, or they can remain
if the lens fibers are damaged sufficiently. Ionizing radiation
has a very high cataract producing affect, and the lens is
its most sensitive target within the adult eye. Its damage
is dose related and cumulative. The sources of electromagnetic
radiation energy most important in damage to the lens are
ionizing radiation (x-rays, gamma rays, and neutrons), emission
of infrared or ultraviolet rays from various hot bodies,
and microwave. Copper, iron and mercury poisoning can lead
to the development of cataracts. Copper deposition in Wilson's
disease produces a characteristic sunflower cataract. In
this inherited disease there is copper deposition in tissues,
especially the liver, causing cirrhosis, and in the basal
ganglia of the brain. Galactosemia and diabetes are two hereditary
diseases which are related to the development of cataracts.
Galactosemia is a uncommon hereditary disease of the newborn
producing bilateral cataracts, mental retardation and enlargement
of the liver. In diabetes mellitus, the usual cataract in
these patients does not differ from senile cataract but occurs
20 to 30 years earlier than in a non diabetic. . Oxidative
damage contributes to the decrease natural antioxidants in
the lens, such as Glutathione, inositol, and ascorbic acid.
Aging, diet, and other disease also play roles in deficiency
of antioxidants.
Can cataracts be prevented?
Sunlight UV and Blue Violet sun
rays increase the risk of developing cataracts. There are
over 951 different references to back up the claim that
sun light is the primary cause of cataracts. . Studies have
shown that people who spend a great deal of time outdoors
are three times as likely to develop cataracts. A good pair
of sunglasses which block 100% of UVA and UVB and block at
least 85% of blue violet sun rays are essential to protect
the eyes from the harmful effects of the sun. On sunny days
a wide brim hat should also be worn. If you smoke please
do everything possible to stop. Smoking tobacco, especially
more than 20 cigarettes per day, increases the risk of cataracts
by more than 2 times. The risk in ex-smokers is 50 percent
higher compared to non smokers. Each cigarette also robs
the body of 25 mg of vitamin C. Smokers have an increase
in lipids (both fat and cholesterol) which increase the risk
of severe cardiovascular disease. These factors produce narrowing
of the retina blood vessels that carry valuable nutrients
to the eye. High intake of alcohol more than doubles the
risk of developing cataracts. More than 7 drinks per week
will increase the risk, while moderate use does not seem
to increase the risk. Diabetics develop cataracts at an earlier
age than non- diabetics. An accumulation of sorbitol and
fructose in the lens can induce osmotic swelling of the lens,
which will lead to the development of a cataract. A significant
number of adults who develop cataracts have undiagnosed diabetes.
If you have diabetes, every effort should be made to keep
your blood sugar under control. There have been several studies
to show that vitamin C can help reduce the level of sorbitol
and reduce the incidence of cataracts formation.
Vitamins and Nutrients
There have been many large scale studies
to show the effectiveness of vitamins on reducing the incidence
of cataracts. A Canadian studied showed that patients over
the age of 55 who consumed vitamin C and E supplements
reduced their risk of developing cataracts by over 50%. A
double blind study involving 30,000 patients performed at
the University of Helsinki also demonstrated the beneficial
effects of vitamins. Glutathione Loss of Glutathione occurs
in all forms of cataracts. Since 1912, researches have shown
that reduced levels of Glutathione precedes the development
of cataracts. With increasing age the levels of Glutathione
content of the human lens decreases by 4 to 14 times. Glutathione
supplements are available but it is questioned weather this
large molecule can pass through the digestive tract. N-acetyl-cysteine,
a stable amino acid, has been shown to raise the levels of
Glutathione. Cysteine is found in protein rich eggs. Completely
avoiding eggs may rob the body of this amino acid which may
have anti cataract properties. The lens of the human eye
is bathed in a vitamin C rich aqueous solution which is 30
times more concentrated than the human blood. It appears
that this vitamin C acts as an ultraviolet filter preventing
the harmful effects of ultraviolet light. With age the levels
of vitamin C begin to decrease and this may contribute to
the formation of the senile cataract. There are several studies
which have shown that high dosages of vitamin C (1000 mg/
day) will reverse the development of some cataracts. Riboflavin
helps to make a substance called flavine adenine dinuceotide
which is necessary for the production of Glutathione. High
levels of Glutathione have been shown to keep the human lens
clear and prevent the development of cataracts. In one study,
81 percent of patients with cataracts were deficient in riboflavin.
Daily vitamin and mineral recommendations for the treatment
of cataracts Vitamin A 5,000 I. U. N-acetyl-cystene 250 mg. Vitamin
C 1000 mg. Vitamin E (dl-alpha Tocopheryl) 800 I.U. Beta Carotene
25,000 I.U. Chromium 200 mcg. Zinc (Picolinate) 15 mg. Rutin
250 mg. Quercetin Bioflavonoid 300 mg. Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin
HCL) 50 mg. The vitamin supplement that I recommend is a Cataract
Nutritional Formula manufactured by Nutritional Research. Information
can be obtained from 877-341-2703 or the web page is www.nutritionalresearch.net
Herbal Treatment
Cineraria maritima (Dusty Miller) The government
of India's Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare have stated that tincture of Cineraria
Maritima Succus is the drug of choice which prevents the development
of cataract. The recommended therapy is 1 to 2 drops in the
eye, 3 to 6 times daily. Boericke describes that it is most
effective in traumatic cases and should be instilled into
the eye one drop four or five times a day for several. Clarke
states that patients should be receiving specific homeopathic
treatment internally at the same time.
Homeopathy and Cataracts
Homeopathy is scientific method of therapy
based on the principle of stimulating the body's own healing
processes in order to accomplish cure. The basic system was
devised and verified by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician,
nearly 200 years ago. Homeopathy's astounding success rates in
both chronic and acute diseases has resulted in not only standing
the test of time, but rapidly achieving widespread acceptance
in Europe, India and South America. In Homeopathy ("homeo-" means "similar"),
each of us is a total. complete individual, no aspect of which
can be separated from any other. In Homeopathy each patient
is evaluated as a whole person- mental, emotional and physical.
The prescribing remedy is based on the unique patterns found
on all three levels. This means that each person is given a
remedy that will stimulate their particular body to heal. Ten
people with Cataracts might receive ten different homeopathic
remedies. Homeopathy has been carefully researched and its
effectiveness has been reported in the following well respected
national medical journals: Jacobs J, Treatment of Acute Childhood
Diarrhea with Homeopathic Medication. Pediatrics 1994; 93:719-7255,
Reilly DT , Is Homeopathy a Placebo Response? Lancet 1986;
Oct: 881-886 and Kleijnen J, Clinical Trails of Homeopathy.
British Medical Journal 1991; 302: 315-323. Selecting a homeopathic
remedy for cataracts
Homeopathic Treatment of Incipient Cataracts
The best review
article on the treatment of cataracts is The Homeopathic Treatment
of Incipient Senile Cataract, with Tabulated Results of One
Hundred Cases by A. B. Norton, MD published in the North American
Journal of Homeopathy 1891 This was a Retrospective Study looking
at the homeopathic treatment of cataracts in 295 Patients. 100
Patients were under treatment for longer then 3 months. Results:
Improvement in 58% of cases, no change in 42% , Slight decrease
in 26%, Significant decrease 19%. The best indication of success
is the level of vision before treatment. Dr. Norton looked at
two groups. Vision better than 15/50 the results were as follows:
decided increase in 14%, slight increase in 26%, no increase
in 60%. Vision worse than 15/50 the results were as follows:
decided increase in 29%, slight increase in 26%, no increase
in 45%. So the earlier you treat the cataract the better the
results. Three nutritional products that I recommend in the treatment
of cataracts are Cataract Nutritional Formula, Cataract Homeopathic
Formula, Oxy Drops and Cineraria Maritima Succus eye drops. Take
two tablets of the vitamins with each meal, take one pellet of
the homeopathic formula twice a day - let it dissolve under
the tongue and the drops should be used three times a day.
These products can be ordered at www.nutritionalresearch.net or 1-877-341-2703
The best way to evaluate your case is in person
at 2001 Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ. Call (800) 430-9328
Whenever this is not possible a consultation can be conducted
by telephone/ email. The following are suggested before scheduling
a telephone consult:
1) Please take time and fill out the attached Questionnaire.
The questionnaire can also be obtained at www.healingtheeye.com. All
of these questions are important in the evaluation of your case
and in your treatment.
2) The following will be helpful
 If
possible obtain eye records from your doctor. Please include
visual acuity, visual fields, laboratory studies, diagnosis and
past treatment. You will need to sign a release form from your
eye doctor to obtain a copy of these records.
Copies
of eye photographs and a copy of flourescein angiogram if available.
These will be very helpful in the evaluation of your case.
3) Check payable to Edward C. Kondrot, MD for the amount of
$150.00 for an alternative medicine evaluation or $350.00 for
a homeopathic evaluation. The alternative medicine evaluation
takes about 30 minutes and includes the following: review of
your case history, a physical examination of your eye and a discussion
regarding treatment options. The homeopathic evaluation includes
a review your case history, a physical examination of your eye
and a 1 1/2 to 2 hour interview to determine the best homeopathic
remedy to help your body/eye begin to heal itself.
Once all the above information is received a one-hour telephone
consultation will be scheduled to review your case.
Additional charges:
Follow
up evaluations are suggested at 2 to 3 month intervals and the
fee for this will be $100.00
Homeopathic
medications range in price from $15.00 to $30.00 over a 3 to
6 month period.
It may
also be necessary to take vitamin supplements. The cost is approximately
$30.00/ month
there
is no charge for brief questions via email.
Please
call if you have any questions please call 1 (800) 430-9328
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