Does Everyone Over 55 Have Cataracts?
Here’s How To Avoid Them…

If you are 55 or over, you have cataracts. At least that’s what the majority of ophthalmologist say. Even if the cataracts have not gotten large enough to cause symptoms, they are still there. There’s no way to get around it.” But is that true? The published statistics say that the percentage of people over the age of 55 who have cataracts is somewhere between 70-80%. But here’s the thing. No matter who’s right, the chances of getting cataracts are pretty high. So, is there anything we can do to prevent this eye problem? A new study published just this last year says yes.

Researchers followed 3,115 men and women between the ages of 55 to 80 years of age for an average of 9.6 years. At the beginning of the study, they examined them for evidence of cataracts. As expected, some of them had cataracts and some did not. They also assessed their intake of different B-vitamins. Then, they examined their eyes every year to see who developed cataracts and how the cataracts progressed in those who already had them. Here’s what happened.

At the beginning of the study, the people with the highest intake of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and cobalamin (vitamin B12) were significantly less likely to have cataracts. When they compared those who had cataracts with those who didn’t, the men and women with the highest riboflavin intake were 22% less likely to have mild and 38% less likely to have moderate cataracts. Those with the highest intakes of B12 and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) had a similar reduction of risk.

And what may be surprising to some is that there was no reduced risk of cataracts from having a higher intake of the nutrients lutein or zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin definitely reduce the risk of macular degeneration, but they don’t seem to have any effect on cataract prevention. According to the authors, “These findings are consistent with earlier studies suggesting that dietary intake of B vitamins may affect the occurrence of age-related lens opacities.”

Are You Suffering?

If you’re over 55, the odds are good that you do. Common symptoms of cataracts include cloudy, blurred or dim vision; increasing difficulty with vision at night; sensitivity to light and glare; need for brighter light for reading and other activities; seeing “halos” around lights; frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription; fading or yellowing of colors; or double vision in a single eye.

Everybody over the age of 60 should have a complete dilated eye examination at least once every five years. Whether or not you have symptoms, it only makes sense to make sure you are taking a high level of B-vitamins. It’s just one of the many reasons why taking a good quality multivitamin every day is so important. And not, Cent rum or one-a-day are not “quality” multivitamins. Nothing you can get at wall greens, Walmart or even GNC qualify. The brand I carry is really special because it’s not a one size fits all vitamin. They carry a whole line specific to different needs. If you want help getting a good multivitamin, bring in your bottle and we can check it out, or come in and we can help you decide which of the ones we carry would be perfect for you. 402-333-4848

Yours for better health,

Dr. Jack Belitz, DC