Studies related to cataracts

Occurring to the eye’s crystalline lens, cataract is an eye disease widely reported by older folks all over the world. It is a clouding over the lens and blocks slightly or completely the passage of light. The most popular symptom is vision blurriness, which will worsen progressively as the disease advances in pace with the aging body. Compared with some other complex eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration, cataract is relatively a simpler condition and its reason is quite clear. Note that even presbyopia has not been completely understood. But the other dimension is that the eye care community still works hard to know more about cataract detection, prevention and the like.

A new testing system can detect early signs of protein damage

Researchers from the National Eye Institute (NEI) and NASA have developed an “early warning” testing system, which can alert eye doctors to the early 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 occurs, it is too late to deal with. By detecting early signs of protein damage, the newly invented testing system can suggest early interventions, e.g. controlling diabetes and avoiding exposure to UV light.

Resveratrol helps slow down cataract progression

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 the activity of a beneficial protein named SIRT1. Furthermore, resveratrol was also reported to benefit bone, heart and vascular health.

Protein fragments in the lens may cause cloudy vision

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. Caused by natural aging, these fragments are the result of breakage of crystallins in the lens. Abnormal protein fragments affect the normal transmission of light and then cause cloudy vision. The study also pointed out that these fragments can be removed by other proteins.

Tecnis presbyopia-correcting IOLs receive good customer feedback

In January 2009, the FDA approved Tecnis multifocal IOL as the newest presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens product for cataract surgery. In earlier times, a large number of FDA-approved multifocal 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 completely the dependence on reading glasses after cataract surgery, their considerably extra expense is to a large degree a pity. According to the founder of the company who has developed Tecnis IOLs, this new product can ensure predictable and consistent full range of clear vision and about 94% of patients who have received Tecnis IOL implantation get satisfied vision at a full range without eyeglasses.