Allergy, immunity & body
Cataract
Cloudy vision and glare at night: is it a cataract, and does it need surgery now?
A cataract is a cloudy area in the eye's lens. It is very common with age, it cannot be dissolved with drops, and surgery is the only cure. Most people do not need to rush, and the operation is very safe.
In 30 seconds
The short answer
A cataract is a cloudy area in the eye's lens.1 It is very common with age2 and makes vision cloudy, colors faded and night driving hard.3 Surgery is the only way to get rid of it, but most people do not need to rush.710 Cataract surgery is very safe, and 9 in 10 people see better afterwards.9 Do not put anything into your eyes that an eye doctor has not prescribed.
The clinic's approach
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Advancement in Karachi, whose documents inform this site, mentions cataract in its DMSO documents and keeps a review on plant remedies in its research folder. Here is what its documents say, and what independent evidence shows.
The clinic's eye claims, and what the evidence shows
Two items from the clinic's documents, each with the clinic's words first, then independent evidence.
DMSO in a saline solution for eye problems, including cataract and glaucoma
Promoted in a clinic leafletEvidence points the other way- Where the clinic says this
- DMSO booklet, page 6; Urdu DMSO sheet, item 22 (ProperHealth translation; instructions omitted).20
- The clinic's stated rationale
- The documents say eye problems, including cataract and glaucoma, have been treated with DMSO.20
- Evidence and limitations
- Surgery is the only way to get rid of a cataract.7 The approved DMSO medicine is a bladder solution only,17 and its own label reports clouding of the eye's lens in animals given high doses over time.16 Glaucoma without proper treatment can lead to blindness.14
- What this means for you
- Do not put DMSO, or anything not prescribed for the eye, into your eyes. Glaucoma needs an eye doctor's treatment.
Medicinal plants for cataract, from a review printed into the clinic's research folder
In the clinic's research folderNot proven- Where the clinic says this
- Research-folder printout of a 2019 review.21
- The clinic's stated rationale
- None written; the clinic's documents do not say how the printout is used.21
- Evidence and limitations
- The review itself reports that most studies were in rats and that clinical trials in people are still lacking.18 It warns that most folk eye remedies are not validated and some may harm the eyes.19
- What this means for you
- Never put plant juices, sap or home drops into your eyes.
Medicines, supplements and safety
A pharmacist can review eye drops and medicines before and after surgery. A pharmacist does not diagnose cataract or glaucoma.
- Steroid medicines raise cataract risk; do not stop them on your own, ask your prescriber.4
- No drop or supplement removes a cataract; surgery is the only way.7
- DMSO is approved only as a bladder treatment; its label reports lens clouding in animals.1617
- Blood thinners may need to be paused before surgery, only as your eye doctor directs.
Compared
Conventional and integrative care, compared
What cataract surgery does and when it can wait, what raises the risk, and what the evidence says about plant remedies and the DMSO the clinic's documents suggest.
What conventional treatment does
- Surgery is the only way to get rid of a cataract, but it may not be needed right away;7 it replaces the cloudy lens with an artificial lens, takes about an hour and is almost painless.11 It is very safe, and 9 in 10 people see better afterwards.9 If both eyes need it, they are done separately, usually about a month apart.13
- Early on, brighter lights, anti-glare sunglasses and new glasses can help,8 and from age 60 a dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years is advised.6
Limits and adverse effects
- Surgery has an aftercare side: call the eye doctor right away for vision loss, pain that medicine does not ease, or a very red eye.12 Most people do not need to rush — waiting usually does not harm the eyes or make surgery harder.10
- The same symptoms can come from other eye problems, so an eye doctor should check them;15 glaucoma often has no early symptoms, and without treatment it can lead to blindness.14
Integrative and naturopathic approaches, by evidence
Evidence levels: EstablishedEmergingHypothesisNot supported
- Established
Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and quitting smoking help protect the eyes from cataracts.5
- Hypothesis
A 2019 review of plants for cataract found most studies were in rats, and clinical trials in people are still lacking;18 it warns that most folk eye remedies are not scientifically validated and some may harm the eyes.19 The clinic's research folder holds a printout of part of that review; its documents do not say how it is used.21
- Not supported
Clinic DMSO documents say cataract and glaucoma have been treated with DMSO, and suggest a DMSO solution in saline for them.20 The only approved DMSO medicine is a bladder solution, not approved for any other use,17 and its own label reports clouding of the eye's lens in animals given high doses over time.16
Nothing applied to the eye should come from a page or a leaflet; a cataract decision belongs to you and your eye doctor, at a pace that suits you.
When to get help now
Each warning sign cites the official guidance behind it. The wording still needs pharmacist sign-off.
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes — go to the emergency department.22
- A painful red eye with halos, headache or vomiting — seek emergency care.23
- Sudden flashes, many new floaters or a curtain over vision — go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away.24
- After cataract surgery: vision loss, strong pain or a very red eye — call your eye doctor right away.25
- A chemical in the eye — rinse with plenty of clean water and get medical care right away. An object stuck in the eye — leave it in place, do not rub or press, and get care right away.26