Studies related to cataracts

Sunday, December 27th, 2009 at 8:33 pm Post in Eye Diseases

Researchers from the National Eye Institute (NEI) and NASA have developed an “early warning” testing system, which can alert eye doctors to first signs of cataracts. This helpful cataract diagnostic device can apply low power laser light into the eye, in order to detect damage to certain proteins in the lens. Proteins damage in the lens can gradually develop into cataracts and even cause blindness if left untreated. Once cataracts have formed and cloudy lens occur, it is too late to deal with. By detecting early signs of protein damage, the newly invented testing system can suggest early interventions, such as controlling diabetes and avoiding sun and UV exposure.

Study results published in Cell Metabolism in July 2008 discovered that resveratrol can slow down the progression of cataracts in mouse. Found in grapes and red wine, resveratrol was considered to improve cell function by stimulating activity of a beneficial protein named SIRT1. Furthermore, resveratrol was also reported to benefit bone, heart and vascular health.

An article in the March issue of Journal of Biological Chemistry in 2008 revealed another discovery about cataracts that cloudy vision can result from not only the cataracts themselves, but also protein fragments in the lens. These fragments are the result of breakage of crystallins in the lens caused by natural aging. Abnormal protein fragments affect the normal transmission of light and cause cloudy vision. The study also pointed out that these fragments can be removed by other proteins.

In January 2009, the FDA approved Tecnis multifocal IOL as the newest presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens for cataract surgery. In earlier times, a large number of FDA-approved IOLs can not thoroughly eliminate the need for eyeglasses, not to say those conventional single vision implantable lenses. In fact, if multifocal or accommodation IOLs can not remove the dependency on reading glasses after cataract surgery, their considerably extra expense is to some degree a pity. According to the founder of the company who has developed Tecnis IOLs, its new products can ensure predictable and consistent full range of vision and about 94% of patients who have received Tecnis IOL implantation get satisfied vision at a full range without eyeglasses.