Question: My mother of 86 lost vision in one eye due to glaucoma. How can I help her to prevent losing her other eye with a cataract?
Answer: There is almost nothing that you can do to prevent an 86 year-old person from developing a cataract, as cataract is a function of aging and is not a disease. Cataract surgery is the only way to remedy a cataract, and should be performed only when the reduction of vision from the cataract reaches a level of functional compromise that is no longer tolerable to that person. Protecting eyes from long-term UV light, proper nutrition, avoidance of certain oral, nasal, and eye medications , and avoiding ocular trauma are ways to reduce the likelihood of developing cataracts at an earlier age, but everyone will develop cataracts if they live long enough. Delaying cataract surgery after certain stages in its development can make cataract surgery more difficult for the surgeon and therefore less safe for the patient. Ask your ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) to evaluate your mother's cataract and advise you if cataract surgery is necessary or optional. Answered by:Wayne Bizer, MD Categories:Eye Conditions, cataract
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