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- What are cataracts?
- Symptoms of cataracts
- Causes of cataracts
- Prevention of cataracts
- Risk factors for cataracts
- Complications of cataracts
- When to see a doctor about cataracts
- Diagnosis of cataracts
- Conventional treatment of cataracts
- Alternative/complementary treatment of cataracts
- Living with cataracts
- Caring for someone with cataracts
Caring for someone with cataracts
Partner
If you have a partner with cataracts, there are a number of useful strategies you can use to help them:
- Cleaning - your partner may not be able to perform much of the cleaning duties in the house, so either you will need to do most of them, you can try to enlist family and friends to help, you can employ a cleaner or a combination of all of these. Just make sure you and your partner are agreed about the way forward
- Depression - people with any type of vision loss condition can easily become depressed, due to the inability to be independent from loss of vision. If you notice your partner's mood changes, you could suggest a visit to the doctor just as a precaution to make sure it is not depression, but if it is, your partner's doctor can make some suggestions for treatment
- Healthy diet - some recent studies suggest that cataract formation may be linked to a diet deficient in certain antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E especially). A diet deficient in antioxidants enable free radical damage to the eyes, so it may be beneficial for your partner to include more foods rich in these vitamins
- Support - your partner needs your love and support and to know that you are there for them if they need you. Try to be there to listen to their concerns and worries and if you cannot manage everything, talk to your doctor about other support options (including from family and friends)
Friends and family members
If you have a friend or family member with cataracts, there are a number of useful strategies you can use to help them:
- Driving - your friend may not be able to drive themselves to visit you or go shopping, so you may be able to help them out when you can
- Support - your friend needs your love and support and to know that you are there for them if they need you. Try to be there to listen to their concerns and worries and let them know you are available for support
Parents
If you have a child with cataracts, there are a number of useful strategies you can use to help them:
- Eye specialist - ensure your child visits the eye specialist on a regular basis for all their appointments prior to, during and after surgery
- Healthy diet - some recent studies suggest that cataract formation may be linked to a diet deficient in certain antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E especially), so it may be beneficial for your child to include more foods rich in these vitamins
- Support - your child needs your love and support and to know that you are there for them if they need you. Try to be there to listen to their concerns and worries and let them know you are available for support
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< living with cataracts Last reviewed: 2 September 2007 || Last updated: 30 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
