Natural Health: Cataract surgery

Q. I am scheduled for cataract surgery in three months’ time.

Is there anything I can do in the meantime to help prepare for this surgery?

A. I recently come across an excellent herbal formulation when looking for treatments for my father’s glaucoma, and it also works well with cataracts. Not only does it support eye health, there are numerous accounts from people who have used this to reverse damage. The formulation was developed by the American herbal pioneer, Dr John R. Christopher, I have yet to use one of his remedies that doesn’t deliver results. !Dr Christopher’s Herbal Eyebright formulation is made up of: 1 part bayberry bark 1 part eyebright herb 1 part golden seal root 1 part red raspberry leaves1/8 part cayenne.

Each “part” of the formulation is part by volume, rather than weight, which makes a huge difference when preparing a herbal formula.

Simply combine the herbs and use as both a herbal eyewash and a tea. Brew the tea, using 1 teaspoon of herbs to one cup of water (I use a heaped teaspoon to 300ml of water), strain, and when it has cooled enough for use in the eye, pour about 5ml into a glass eye cup and rinse the eye with it — exercising the eyeball while it is bathing in the liquid. The cayenne does nip a little at first, but you soon get used to it. Repeat this process three to six times daily. You should also drink half a cup of the tea in the morning, and half a cup again in the afternoon or early evening.

The Herbal Eyebright Formula is designed to help brighten and heal the eyes, as well as being reported to remove cataracts and heavy film. Other conditions this remedy is indicated for include glaucoma, macular degeneration, eye infection, and styes.

Antioxidant-rich berries are a wonderful addition to the diet for eye health, particularly when you consider that cataracts are a symptom of oxidative damage to the protein of the lens of the eye. Cataracts are frequently an issue for diabetics and smokers.

Bilberries have long been used to improve eyesight and treat various ocular conditions since they contain a bioflavanoid called anthocyanoside, which works to protect the retina and lens from oxidation.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two other antioxidants which are key nutrients in maintaining healthy vision. Leafy green vegetables are high in lutein, while eggs and brightly coloured vegetables and fruits are rich in zeaxanthin.

Vitamin E is considered to be of specific interest with regard to cataracts, since studies show that low levels of this vitamin increase the risk of developing cataracts by four times.

To order the Herbal Eyebright formulation, rather than making it yourself, then the US-based websites www.vitalerbs.com and www.lifebalm.com are the best places to go to find Dr Christopher’s product range.

* See: For more information see www.herballegacy.com.

Q. My doctor has suggested I take an aspirin each day as a preventative. He has not written a prescription. I am reluctant to follow through with this as I don’t have any trouble with my heart and don’t want to be taking unnecessary pills. Please advise.

A. You are wise to look into this further, as I believe this is out-dated advice, with most doctors now only prescribing aspirin where the risk of heart attack or stroke outweighs the risk of internal bleeding from long-term aspirin usage.

The aspirin-a-day protocol should never be followed as a self-prescribed measure. The standard dosage of aspirin found on the shelves is typically 325mg, whereas the prescribed aspirin is 81mg.