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BELMONT B’s
The B’s zone held
its annual Calypso
Competition of
enthusiastic member
contestants who
performed in front of
a lusty and cheerful
audience.
Allan Shallow, the
reigning 2016
King, gave a
very creditable
performance with his
“Hands in the Air”,
mocking some of the
current crop of soca
music. He however
had to relinquish
his crown to a new
member, Mr. Obioma
Bankole, who blew
the competition away
with his rendition,
“Let them talk”,
which humorously
lambasted the
mauvais-langue,
which Trinis are so well-
known for.
Second place winner,
Marcia Hall-Johnson, won
hearts with her rendition,
“Tribute to Mrs. Joyce
Wong Sang”, which
highlighted the history of
our group, the Belmont B’s
and how instrumental Mrs.
Wong Sang was in getting
the Zone up and running.
After the competition,
Bankole led us in a lively
medley of well-known
calypsoes which ended
the evening on a high.
Members are certainly
looking forward to next
year, since we are sure
we will be able to give
the national performers at
Dimanche Gras a run for
their money!
C
ataract refers to the
clouding of the natural
lens of the eye which
obstructs the passage
of light and results in
reduced or blurred vision.
The natural lens is made
up ofwater and proteins
stacked in layers like
that of an onion and is
responsible for changing
the focusing ability of the
eye to perform our daily
tasks.
Some signs and symptoms
of cataract include blurred
vision, desaturation of
colours, issues with glare,
poor night vision and
double vision. Cataracts
do not only affect you; it
also affects the ability of
the medical practitioner
to examine the back of
the eyes for the detection
and management of any
existing conditions caused
by diabetes, hypertension
and glaucoma, to name
a few. Remember, “If you
can’t see out, we can’t see
in!”
A new spectacle
prescription, brighter
lighting, anti-reflection
coatings, magnifiers are
some ways in relieving
the symptoms caused by
cataracts. The only medical
treatment for cataract
is surgical extraction by
which the natural lens of
Putting
Cataracts in
the Shade
the eye is removed and
replaced with an artificial
lens.
Cataracts may occur
through ageing, radiation
damage, inflammation,
trauma, metabolic or
nutritional defects such
as diabetes as well as,
congenital factors.As the
natural lens continues to
grow with age, there is
compression of the lens
fibres forming a nuclear
sclerotic or age-related
cataract. This type of
cataract has a distinct
brown colour change
compared to the natural
lens of the eye.
The growth of cataract
can be accelerated with
uncontrolled diabetes
(high glucose level). When
glucose levels are high
in the aqueous humour
of the eye, the glucose
enters the lens and breaks
down into sorbitol which
accumulates in the lens,
forming a cataract.This
affects the focusing ability
of the lens resulting in
short-sightedness.
Secondary cataract may
be a result of inflammatory
diseases such as uveitis, in
which steroidal medication
is used to manage the
inflammation. The use of
steroids, whether topical or
oral, can contribute to the
formation of a cataract.
The eyes are constantly
exposed to UV rays from
sunlight. The natural
lens of the eye filters the
UV radiation to prevent
damage to the retina. This
UV radiation results in
damage to the proteins
in the lens causing them
to cluster, hence forming
cataract. This cluster of
proteins scatters light
in the eye leading to
glare issues rather than
transmitting the light to the
retina where images are
formed. Therefore, UV rays
are a contributing factor to
cataract growth.
When managing or
preventing cataract,
polarized sunglasses with
UV blocking are highly
recommended when
outdoors forrecreational
activities such as
sports, hiking, driving,
daily commute to work,
gardening, vending or
any other activity of your
daily lifestyle that may
involve being in sunlight.
Polarized sunglasses with
UV blocking can filter the
harmful UVA and UVB rays
from the sun, preventing it
from reaching the eye and
reducing the likelihood of
cataract formation. Other
precautionary methods
include the use of hats or
sun-visors which shield the
eyes from the UV rays.
One must always be
mindful that being based in
the Caribbean and having
a tropical climate, there is
greater exposure to UV
radiation.Hence there is a
higher risk of developing
cataract at an earlier age.
In cooler climates such as
Europe, cataract develops
at a much later age in life.
It should also be noted
that cataract is a leading
cause of blindness which
unlike other eye diseases,
is reversible via surgical
intervention.
Ultimately, a simple act
of continuously wearing
polarized sunglasses with
UV blocking or hats can
prevent the occurrence of
cataract.
Your eyes are your best
assets; accessorize with
sunglasses!
By Kareem Marcelle BSc.
Optom & Naftali Bastien BSc.
Optom, FBDO, ABDO, CLDip
SWEET KAISO
