Cataract surgery has been successful, and one can see well again. How can one preserve this good vision and prevent any deterioration due to age-related changes? Most of the advice will be to abstain from tobacco, eat green vegetables, exercise, use ultraviolet protection, control blood pressure, and control cholesterol levels.
The key to preserving good vision after cataract surgery is to preserve the health of the macula. The center of the macula, the fovea is responsible for reading, facial recognition, and important tasks. The fovea has the maximum concentration of cones which allows one to see color. The macular pigments present in the fovea are lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin. These serve two main functions – act as natural antioxidants and filter blue wavelength light. The macular pigment layer can protect the retinal cells from oxidative stress, the denser the layer more the protection. The short wavelength of blue light scatters and reduces the contrast perception and increases glare. A thicker macular pigment layer can block harmful blue light and improve contrast sensitivity and overall quality of vision. Improvement, in contrast, sensitivity can help in many tasks especially performed in dim light conditions.
Foods like carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, and citrus fruits are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, but not in meso-zeaxanthin. Meso-zeaxanthin is not commonly found in foods, and enzymes which convert lutein to meso-zeaxanthin may be absent in many individuals. Meso-zeaxanthin has a high concentration in the center of the fovea. All three carotenoids are needed to maintain a healthy macular pigment layer and reduce the risk of central vision loss as one gets older. Supplements containing these are readily available as tablets or capsules which can be consumed orally. Cataract surgery is one of the most successful surgeries in the human body. But it is important to maintain vision by consuming antioxidants and preventing the harmful effects of age-related macular degeneration.
Dr. Ramesh Murthy is one of the best cataract surgeons in Pune and is available at axis eye clinic which is one of the best eye clinics in Pune.
