Cataract simply means a waterfall and refers to the opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye on the assumption that the condition is caused by the tumor of the brain falling over the pupil. This eye disorder is among the most common eye diseases. In cataract, the crystalline lens becomes opaque, which seriously hampers the entrance of light into the eye, resulting in blindness since no light rays permeates the opacity of the lens. Only the surgical operation to remove the lens or a major portion of it is the only way to get rid of the disease. The patient is provided with suitable glasses after the operation to enable him to see well enough to carry on his normal duties.

Symptoms of Cataract:
In this disorder, the patient finds it difficult to see things in focus; hence this is the first sign, that a person starts having a blurred vision. As the cataract progresses, the patient may get double vision or spots or both, resulting in a gradual increase in blindness. At this stage, the vision may be better in the evening than in full daylight since light is admitted round the more widely-dilated pupil in the dark. But later, in the advance stage, the objects and persons may appear merely blobs of light. In the final stage, there is a greyish white discoloration in the pupil.

Causes of Cataract:
Cataract is often found in association with other defects of the eye. There are four factors, which contribute to the loss of transparency of the lens. These are:

i. Stagnation of the fluid current in the lens resulting from blood condition
ii. Deterioration the nutrition of the lens, which diminishes the vitality and resistance of the delicate lens fibers
iii. Deposits between the lens fibers of acids and salts which have an irritating effect on the lens tissues and
iv. Exert an increasing pressure on its delicate fibers, clouding whole lens in the absence of appropriate measures.

As in the case of most diseases, poisons in the blood stream due to dietetic errors and a faulty style of living are the real cause of cataract. The toxic matter in the blood stream spreads throughout the body to find shelter in any available weak spot. If the lens develops weak due to strain, excessive use of the eyes and local irritation, then the toxins strike the lens, making the eye condition bad and developing into cataract.

Other causes of cataract are stress and strain, excessive intake of alcoholic drinks, sugar, salt, smoking, certain physical ailments such as gastro-intestinal or gallbladder disturbance, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, especially of vitamin C, fatty acid intolerances, ageing, radiation and side-effects of drugs prescribed for other diseases.

Another important cause of many cataracts is poor nutrition, which is mostly the case of senile or ageing cataract.

Treatment of Cataract by Nature Cure:
Cataract, if developed a lot, then the only treatment left here to overcome it, would be a surgical operation. If, however, the cataract is in the early stages, there are good chances of getting over the ailment by natural means, since even advanced cases can be prevented from becoming worse. Several cases cataracts have actually been reversed by proper nutritional treatment. However, the time needed for such treatment may extend from six months to three years.

Diet for the Treatment of Cataract:
It is required to undergo a fast for three to four days on orange juice and water. This short fast followed by a restricted diet should be repeated after three months of the commencement of the treatment and again three months later, if necessary. A warm water enema may be taken during this period and even in the later stages of the treatment, when necessary. After this initial fast, a diet of very restricted nature should be followed for two weeks in this regimen, whereby the diet of the cataract patient should be high in B2, B6 as well as whole B-complex, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, D, E and other nutrients. Here, is the diet as follows:

Breakfast: It may consist of oranges or grapes or any other juicy fruit in season.

Lunch: Raw vegetable salads seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice dressing and soaked raisins, figs or dates should be taken.

Dinner: It may consist of vegetables such as spinach, fenugreek, drum sticks, cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, turnips, steamed in their own juices, and a few nuts or some fruits, such as apples, pears and grapes. However, the diet should avoid potatoes, white bread, sugar, cream, refined cereals, rice, boiled potatoes, puddings and pies, strong tea or coffee, alcoholic beverages, condiments, pickles, sauces, or other so-called aids to digestion.

After two weeks on this diet, the cataract patient may start on a fuller diet on the following lines.

Breakfast: Any fresh fruits in season, except bananas.

Lunch: A large mixed raw vegetable salad with whole meal bread or chapatis and butter.

Dinner: Two or three steamed vegetables, other than potatoes, with nuts and fresh fruit.

The aniseed is considered a useful remedy for cataract and it should be taken about six grams daily in the morning and evening. Equal weights of aniseed and coriander powder mixed with brown sugar is also beneficial in the treatment of this disease and the mixture should be taken in doses of 12 grams in the morning and evening.

Another valuable remedy for cataract is to grind seven kernels of almonds and half a gram of pepper together in water, and then drink the mixture after sifting and sweetening the mixture with sugar candy. It helps the eyes to regain their vigour.

Exercises for the Treatment of Cataract:
Along with a proper diet, the patient should also adopt various methods of relaxing and strengthening the eyes. Fresh air and gentle outdoor exercises, such as walking, are other essentials to the treatment. However, the exposure to heat and bright light should be avoided as far as possible. The various exercises for the treatment include: