Cataracts are a clouding of the lens inside the eye that leads to decreased vision. They are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Protein clumps in the lens cause it to become yellowed or brown, impairing vision. Symptoms include blurry or cloudy vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty seeing at night. Cataracts are most often age-related as lens proteins deteriorate over time but can also be caused by genetics, radiation exposure, diabetes, smoking, and other eye or skin conditions. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E and nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin found in green leafy vegetables and orange peppers may help prevent cataracts by protecting the lens from protein buildup

1. DISEASE-CATARACT

2. What is CATARCT?
 It is the clouding of lens inside eye leading to decrease in
vision.
 Most common cause of blindness and conventionally
treated with surgery.
 Over 20 million Americans over the age of 40 have
cataracts in one or both eyes, and 6 million have had
corrective surgery.
Development of disease:
 Clumps of protein reduce the sharpness of image reaching
the retina.
 Clear lens changes to yellowish/brownish color, adding a
brownish tint to vision.

4. Symptoms of CATARCT:
 Cloudy or blurry vision.
 Colors seem faded.
 Glare, highlight, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright.
 Poor night vision.
 Double vision or multiple images in one eye.
 Frequent prescription changes in eyeglasses or contact
lenses.
 Progressive nearsightedness in older people often called
"second sight" because they may no longer need reading
glasses.

5. Causes of CATARACT:
 Age: Lens proteins denature with passage of time. Process
is accelerated by diseases like Diabetes and Hypertension.
 Radiation: UV-B radiation has been shown to cause
cataracts.
 Genetics: genetic component is strong in the
development of disease.
 Skin diseases: Eye and skin tissues have same
embryological origin. Those with Eczema will occasionally
develop cataracts.
 Drug use: Cigarette smoking causes two fold increase in
nuclear sclerotic cataract and three fold increase in
posterior sub capsular cataract.

7. Nutritional link:
 Several researches show that Antioxidants vitamin E and
vitamin C and Carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin are
protective against cataracts.
 Higher amounts of vitamin E and C in diet lower risk of
cataracts.
 Lutein and Zeaxanthin are only carotenoids found in eye
lens and are promising nutrients in the fight against
cataracts.
 These carotenoids may play a key role in keeping the lens
clear of protein buildup and are present in dark green
leafy vegetables , orange peppers, broccoli, peas, corn etc.

8. Food Sources (mg/serving) :
FOOD AMOUNT VITAMIN E
Almond ¼ cup 9.3
Peanut ¼ cup 3.3
Corn oil 1 tbsp 2.8
FOOD AMOUNT VITAMIN C
Orange juice 1 cup 124
Grapefruit juice 1 cup 94
Tomato juice 1 cup 44

9. Nutrient Values Tested :
NUTRINETS
RCOMMENDED
DIETARY
ALLOWANCE
(RDA)
LEVELS
ASSOCIATED WITH
HEALTH BENEFIT
%AGE OF PEOPLE
GETTING LESS
THAN 100% OF
RDA
Vitamin C 90 mg for men
75 mg for women
+35 mg for
smokers
≥ 250 mg More than 50% of
individuals
Vitamin E 15 mg natural
30 mg synthetic
≥ 100 IU More than 90% of
individuals
Leutin and
Zeaxanthin
There is no RDA
for lutein,
zeaxanthin and
beta-carotene.
6 mg
Average intake
per day 1.7 mg