Cataract
Sources
Every numbered claim on the overview and article pages is listed here with the exact passage it rests on. 55 passages were checked word-for-word against the saved copies listed below.
Current evidence
- 1
A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye, the clear part that focuses light.
“A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye (the clear part of the eye that helps to focus light).”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — CataractsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 2
More than half of Americans aged 80 or older have cataracts or have had cataract surgery.
“In fact, more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of cataracts.”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — CataractsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 3
Cataracts can make vision cloudy or blurry, fade colors, cause halos around lights and make night vision poor.
“Your vision is cloudy or blurry”
“Colors look faded”
“You can’t see well at night”
“You see a halo around lights”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — CataractsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 4
Diabetes, smoking, a lot of sun and steroid medicines raise the risk of cataracts.
“Have certain health problems, like diabetes”
“Smoke”
“Have spent a lot of time in the sun”
“Take steroids”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — CataractsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 5
Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and quitting smoking help protect the eyes from cataracts.
“Protect your eyes from the sun. Wear sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block the sun.”
“Quit smoking.”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — CataractsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 6
From age 60, have a dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years.
“If you’re age 60 or older, get a dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years.”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — CataractsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 7
Surgery is the only way to get rid of a cataract, but it may not be needed right away.
“Surgery is the only way to get rid of a cataract, but you may not need to get surgery right away.”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — CataractsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 8
Early on, brighter lights, anti-glare sunglasses and new glasses can help.
“Use brighter lights at home or work”
“Wear anti-glare sunglasses”
“A new prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses can help you see better with cataracts early on.”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — CataractsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 9
Cataract surgery is very safe, and 9 in 10 people see better afterwards.
“This surgery is very safe, and 9 out of 10 people who get it can see better afterwards.”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — CataractsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 10
Most people do not need to rush; waiting usually does not harm the eyes or make surgery harder.
“Most people don’t need to rush into surgery. Waiting to have surgery usually won’t harm your eyes or make surgery more difficult later.”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — CataractsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 11
Surgery replaces the cloudy lens with an artificial lens; it takes about an hour and is almost painless.
“During surgery, your eye doctor will remove the cloudy lens from your eye and replace it with an artificial lens (called an intraocular lens, or IOL).”
“The surgery lasts about 1 hour and is almost painless.”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — Cataract SurgeryPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 12
After surgery, call the eye doctor right away for vision loss, pain that medicine does not ease, or a very red eye.
“Call your eye doctor right away if you notice any of these problems after surgery:”
“Vision loss”
“Bad pain that won’t go away even if you take medicine for it”
“Very red eyes”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — Cataract SurgeryPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 13
If both eyes need surgery, they are done separately, usually about a month apart.
“you’ll need to have surgery on each eye at a separate time, usually about a month apart.”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — Cataract SurgeryPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 14
Glaucoma often has no early symptoms, and without treatment it can lead to blindness.
“Often there are no symptoms of glaucoma at first.”
“Without treatment, glaucoma can eventually lead to blindness.”
MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — GlaucomaPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 15
The same symptoms can come from other eye problems, so an eye doctor should check them.
“Talk with your eye doctor if you have any of these symptoms — they could also be signs of other eye problems.”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — CataractsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 16
The approved DMSO medicine's own label reports clouding of the eye's lens in animals given high doses over time.
“Changes in the refractive index and lens opacities have been seen in monkeys, dogs and rabbits given high doses of dimethyl sulfoxide chronically.”
U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed — RIMSO-50 (dimethyl sulfoxide) labelPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 17
The only approved DMSO medicine is a bladder solution; it is not approved for any other use.
“is indicated for the symptomatic relief of patients with interstitial cystitis.”
“has not been approved as being safe and effective for any other indication”
U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed — RIMSO-50 (dimethyl sulfoxide) labelPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 18
A 2019 review of plants for cataract found most studies were in rats, and clinical trials in people are still lacking.
“In most of the studies, rats or rat pups lens were utilized as the model”
“Despite of potential evidence for the significance of natural products against cataract, the possible clinical trials are still lacking.”
Frontiers in Pharmacology (via PubMed Central) — Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Used in Cataract Management (2019 review)Passage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 19
The same review warns that most folk eye remedies are not scientifically validated and some may harm the eyes.
“Although, many plants have been utilized in various folklore medical practices, most of them are not scientifically validated. Moreover, some of these traditional practices may be harmful for the eyes as well.”
Frontiers in Pharmacology (via PubMed Central) — Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Used in Cataract Management (2019 review)Passage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 20
Clinic DMSO documents say eye problems including cataract and glaucoma have been treated with DMSO, and the Urdu sheet suggests a DMSO solution in saline for them (ProperHealth translation; instructions omitted).
“Also eye problems have been successftilly treated with DMSO, including macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma and cataracts”
“A DMSO solution dissolved in saline solution, if used, is useful for eye problems, including cataract and glaucoma.”
Pakistan Institute of Medical Advancement (PIMA), Karachi — clinic document — DMSO booklet and Urdu DMSO sheet (items quoted in ProperHealth's English translation) (private clinic document; not online)Clinic document — quoted from ProperHealth’s transcription or translation of a scan; not independently verified
- 21
The clinic's research folder holds a printout of part of a 2019 review on medicinal plants for cataract; the documents do not say how it is used.
“a browser printout, dated 5/21/24, of pages 15/37 to 19/37 of the review "Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Used in Cataract Management"”
Pakistan Institute of Medical Advancement (PIMA), Karachi — clinic document — Research-folder printout on medicinal plants for cataract (private clinic document; not online)Clinic document — quoted from ProperHealth’s transcription or translation of a scan; not independently verified
- 22
Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes — go to the emergency department.
“Sudden vision loss is always an emergency, even if you have not completely lost vision.”
“Contact an ophthalmologist or go to the emergency room immediately.”
MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Blindness and vision lossPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 23
A painful red eye with halos, headache or vomiting — seek emergency care.
“Sudden, severe pain in one eye”
“Nausea and vomiting”
“Rainbow-like halos around lights”
“Red eye”
“If you have severe eye pain or a sudden loss of vision, get immediate medical help. These may be signs of closed-angle glaucoma.”
MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — GlaucomaPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 24
Sudden flashes, many new floaters or a curtain over vision — go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away.
“A lot of new floaters (small dark spots or squiggly lines that float across your vision)”
“Flashes of light in one eye or both eyes”
“A dark shadow or “curtain” on the sides or in the middle of your field of vision”
“Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of a detached retina, it’s important to go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away.”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — Retinal DetachmentPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 25
After cataract surgery: vision loss, strong pain or a very red eye — call your eye doctor right away.
“Call your eye doctor right away if you notice any of these problems after surgery:”
“Vision loss”
“Bad pain that won’t go away even if you take medicine for it”
“Very red eyes”
National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — Cataract SurgeryPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
- 26
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.
“It is important to flush out the eye with large amounts of clean water or salt water (saline). This kind of injury needs medical care right away.”
“Leave the object in place. Do not try to remove the object. Do not touch it or apply any pressure to it.”
MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Eye emergenciesPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy
Source documents
- National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — Cataracts
Saved 2026-10-21 · download · SHA-256f4d240f04166c58c… - National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — Cataract Surgery
Saved 2026-10-21 · download · SHA-25694377417a4345044… - MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Glaucoma
Saved 2026-10-21 · download · SHA-256f142b5abbfdb82fc… - U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed — RIMSO-50 (dimethyl sulfoxide) label
Saved 2026-10-20 · download · SHA-2561e30f8025c1a9cb1… - Frontiers in Pharmacology (via PubMed Central) — Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Used in Cataract Management (2019 review)
Saved 2026-10-21 · download · SHA-256fa3dd113338afb48… - Pakistan Institute of Medical Advancement (PIMA), Karachi — clinic document — DMSO booklet and Urdu DMSO sheet (items quoted in ProperHealth's English translation) (private clinic document; not online)
Saved 2026-10-21 · ProperHealth transcription and translation of scanned clinic documents (private archive); dosing omitted · SHA-256f6cdfa30c7348e3f… - Pakistan Institute of Medical Advancement (PIMA), Karachi — clinic document — Research-folder printout on medicinal plants for cataract (private clinic document; not online)
Saved 2026-10-21 · ProperHealth description of a scanned file in the clinic's research folder (private archive) · SHA-256c2e74dcca612fd22… - MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Blindness and vision loss
Saved 2026-10-22 · download · SHA-25699c83ffccf089f02… - MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Glaucoma
Saved 2026-10-22 · download · SHA-2565defcee9433e6391… - National Eye Institute (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — Retinal Detachment
Saved 2026-10-22 · download · SHA-256e3308855fa4a217e… - MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Eye emergencies
Saved 2026-10-22 · download · SHA-256bbd98ea129497512…
Historical perspective: Dr. Majid Ali archive
Historical perspective from a web-archive copy of a page associated with Dr. Majid Ali's former website; authorship is not independently verified. Shown for context; it is not current medical guidance.
- Reversing Cataract (reader question and answer) 2015-03-25 (web-archive copy)
The only page on cataract in the Dr. Ali material. A reader with diabetes asks how to avoid surgery; the answer says many people with diabetes can reverse early lens changes by reversing diabetes. Authorship of this web-archive copy is not independently verified. The claim is not carried.
Claims we deliberately did not carry
- The claim that many people with diabetes can reverse early cataract by reversing their diabetes, so surgery can be put off.
Safety wording awaiting sign-off
The 'When to get help now' list is ProperHealth safety wording. Each line cites the official guidance it follows, and those passages are listed above with the other claims. The wording still needs pharmacist sign-off before public use.